Mirounga leonina (Linnaeus, 1758)
Southern elephant seal
Mirounga leonina
photo by Ryan, Paddy

Family:  Phocidae ()
Max. size:  685 cm TL (male/unsexed); 300 cm TL (female); max.weight: 5,000 kg; max.weight: 800 kg
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 0 - 8000 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific, Atlantic Ocean and the Antarctic: Circumpolar in the Southern Hemisphere, Skeleton coast of Namibia around the Cape to Ilha Bazaruto in Mozambique. Polar, temperate.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Prefers sandy and cobble beaches, but will haul out on ice, snow or rocky terrace); they venture inland into tussock grass and other vegetation, and frequently lie in mud wallows. Feeds on 75% cephalopods and 25% fish. Maximum measurements for female species based from Ref. 1394. Reported from 0 m- m (Ref. 1394) but is observed to occur at greater depths based on more recent data (Kaschner, K. pers. comm., 20/10/14).
IUCN Red List Status: (LC); Date assessed: 12 December 2014 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:  Known from Isla de Pascua.

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