Mirounga – Southern & Northern elephant seals
‘Mirounga’ is the result of the Latinization of ‘miouroung’, which means seals in the Aboriginal language
The southern and northern elephant seals are the only two extant species in this genus. In comparison, the southern elephant seal is heavier than the northern elephant seal; they are the largest extant carnivorans weighing up to 4000 kg (8800 pounds).
By the end of the 19th century, both massive genus members had been hunted to the brink of extinction. However, their population number has since recovered, and now they are listed as Least concern, although they are still threatened by boat collisions and entanglement to fishing nets.
Species in this genus
Northern elephant seal
EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
One of the largest pinnipeds in the world; lives in the eastern Pacific ocean
Population 200,000
3.8% annual growth rate from 1988 – 2010
Southern elephant seal
EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE
The largest member of the order Carnivora, adult males, can be six times larger than polar bears!
Population 650,000
