Snuggly seals
Northern elephant seals, named for the
elephant-like noses sported by the adult males, are giants. The males can grow
to more than 3 feet (4 meters) in length and weigh up to 4,500 pounds (2,000
kilograms), according to the Marine Mammal Center. Females, meanwhile, grow to
about 10 feet (3 m) and can weigh 1,500 pounds (600 kg). They are the
second-largest seals in the world. In the past, the seals were hunted to
near-extinction, mostly for their blubber, which was used as lamp oil. Today,
there are about 150,000 elephant seals, with 124,000 of these taking up
residence off California, the Marine Mammal Center said.
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