How Do Elephant Seals Protect Themselves?
Two main species of elephant seals, the largest seals in the world, exists. The northern elephant seal is found in and around California, residing mainly on islands off the coast. The slightly larger southern elephant seal is found primarily in the Antarctic region. The elephant seal gets its name from the male's trunk-like snout. Elephant seals have several specific defense mechanisms that are of interest.
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Family Structure
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Female elephant seals give birth to a single pup while on land. During labor and the month afterward when they are nursing their young, neither the male or female seals go to the water to feed or drink. The female and her young live off the blubber she has stored, and the males live on their own fat stores. Staying ashore ensures that more young survive, because there are fewer predators, and the predators are significantly smaller. The male elephant seals stay to protect their harem from potential predators, like coyotes, while the females care for their young. In their 28 days of nursing, and the breeding season that follows, females lose about half their body weight, and the males lose about a third.
Weaner Pods
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When their mothers leave them, weanling seals lie on shore in piles. These piles, also known as weaner pods, are a method of self protection. Predators are less likely to attack these pods, and smaller or weaker animals are less likely to become prey. It also serves to protect them, from some extent, from the elements by providing a type of shelter.
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Blubber
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The very thick layer of subcutaneous fat serves as a major element of protection for elephant seals. Only the great white shark and the orca whale have both the jaw strength and the teeth necessary to penetrate this fatty layer.
Diving
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Both the male and female elephant seals are capable of diving very deeply, to 2,600 and 2,000 feet respectively. They are capable of staying below water for up to 70 minutes at a time, and will swim for months without stopping. This ability to remain in the water over 80 percent of the time allows them to stay predominantly at water depths that are significantly deeper than those occupied by their predators.
Spinal Structure
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The elephant seal's backbone is extremely flexible, allowing it to touch its head to its tail. Though not overly graceful on land, the seal is nearly untouchable in the water. Its lithe movement, based on the agility of their spinal column, allows them to weave through the water, avoiding the attack of predators.
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References
- Photo Credit Elephant Seal Pup image by photorich from Fotolia.com
