Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Amin Tawar
Elephant Seal Height/Length
Elephant seals are large marine mammals that are found in the waters off the coast of California and Mexico. They are named for their distinctive appearance, which is characterized by their large size and inflatable noses, which can add several inches to their overall length.
The largest living seal on the planet is the Southern elephant seal. The gender of the seals has a significant impact on their size, with the males typically being five to six times heavier than the females. The record-breaking seal, which was killed on February 28, 1913, in Possession Bay, South Georgia, was 22.5 feet long.
However, on average, Southern adult elephant seals can reach lengths of up to 5 m (16 ft) and some even reach up to 20 feet.
Additionally, as said earlier, there can be some variation in size among individual elephant seals, and males tend to be larger than females.
While the females are about 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) long, the males are larger and tend to be around 4.2 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) long.
| Southern elephant seal Size | Length |
| Male | 4.2 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) |
| Female | 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) |
Elephant Seal Weight
Talking about their giant size, here we will talk about the weight or overall body mass of the species. These weights can vary depending on a number of factors, including the age and health of the individual seal, as well as the availability of food in their environment.
Interestingly, Elephant seals can consume up to 30 pounds of food in a single day, which helps them to maintain their large size and energy requirements. While male elephant seals can weigh up to 5,000 pounds, female elephant seals typically weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
To be more specific, one of the largest seals, the Southern Elephant seal, is much larger than other types of seals. The males of the species weigh as large as 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lb), while the females are much smaller and weigh about 350 to 900 kg (770 to 1,980 lb).
| Southern elephant seal Size | Weight |
| Male | 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lb) |
| Female | 350 to 900 kg (770 to 1,980 lb) |
Elephant Seal Nose Size
One of the most fascinating and special characteristics of seals is their nose. Elephant seals have distinctive long, curved noses, which are known as proboscises. The proboscis is used for a variety of purposes, including vocalizations, regulating body temperature, and defending territory.
Furthermore, have you ever considered the possibility of using your nose as a weapon in a fight? No, I think.
You would be astonished to know that the male elephant seals also use their proboscises as weapons during aggressive interactions with other males.
This is mostly because of how large and powerful their nose or proboscis is. And so they are named “Elephant” seals as their large nose resembles the large trunks of regular elephants. 1
Baby Elephant Seal Size
While adult elephant seals are huge and massive, their newborns are not quite small relative to other animals’ newborns.
For instance, at birth, elephant seal pups typically weigh between 50 and 80 pounds and are about 3 to 4 feet in length.
This is relatively large compared to the size of their mothers, who typically weigh between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds and reach lengths of up to 10 feet.
Moreover, as they start getting a bit mature, male elephant seals typically weigh between 600 and 800 pounds when they reach six months of age, while female elephant seals typically weigh between 400 and 600 pounds at this age.
In terms of length, male elephant seals can reach up to 16 feet in length, while females typically reach lengths of up to 10 feet.
Elephant Seal Size Compared To Human
Coming to the next part of the article, now let’s use our prior knowledge about the size of elephant seals and use it to compare the creature with other animals and animal species. Here we compare the elephant seal with one of the highest predators in the food chain, us!
Elephant seals are much larger than humans, with adult males reaching lengths of up to 16 feet and weights of up to 5,000 pounds. This is significantly larger than the average human, who is typically between 5.5 and 5.9 feet tall and weighs between 120 and 160 pounds.
In terms of height, adult male elephant seals can reach up to 6 feet tall when standing on their hind flippers.
Additionally, in terms of weight, adult male elephant seals can weigh up to 5,000 pounds, while adult females can weigh up to 1,500 pounds.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Southern elephant seal | Male 4.2 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) Female 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) | Male 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lb) Female 350 to 900 kg (770 to 1,980 lb) |
| Average adult human | 5.5 to 5.9 feet | 130-170 pounds (60 to 80 kgs) |
Elephant Seal Size Compared To Walrus
Moving on, have you ever thought about how large or small a walrus would be in comparison to an elephant seal?
Elephant seals and walruses are both large marine mammals that are known for their impressive size. However, there are some differences in the size of these two animals.
Male elephant seals can grow to be up to 16 feet in length and can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. This makes them one of the largest species of seal in the world. Female elephant seals are smaller, typically reaching lengths of up to 10 feet and weights of up to 1,500 pounds.
Walruses, on the other hand, can be even larger than elephant seals. Adult male walruses can reach lengths of up to 13 feet and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Female walruses are also larger than female elephant seals, typically reaching lengths of up to 9 feet and weights of up to 1,500 pounds.
In terms of height, both elephant seals and walruses can reach up to 6 feet tall when standing on their hind flippers. However, walruses tend to have a more bulky, muscular body shape than elephant seals, which gives them a more imposing appearance.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Southern elephant seal | Male 4.2 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) Female 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) | Male 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lb) Female 350 to 900 kg (770 to 1,980 lb) |
| Walrus | Male 13 feet Female 9 feet | Male 2,000 pounds Female 1,500 pounds |
Elephant Seal Vs Orca Size Comparison
Elephant seals and orcas, also known as killer whales, are two different types of marine mammals. An orca, also known as a killer whale, is a type of dolphin and is the largest member of the dolphin family.
Orcas are generally larger and heavier than elephant seals and can weigh up to 8,000 pounds, while orcas typically weigh around 10,000 pounds.
Elephant seals are found in the Pacific Ocean along the coasts of North America and South America, while orcas are found in all oceans of the world.
Moreover, the average adult male orca can reach a length of up to 32 feet and can weigh up to 10,000 pounds. Female orcas are typically smaller, reaching a length of up to 28 feet and weighing up to 6,000 pounds.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Southern elephant seal | Male 4.2 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) Female 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) | Male 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lb) Female 350 to 900 kg (770 to 1,980 lb) |
| Orca | Male 32 feet Female 28 feet | Male 10,000 pounds. Female 6,000 pounds |
Elephant Seal Vs Hippo Size Comparison
Moving on, let’s try to imagine a hippo standing beside an elephant seal, what do you see? Is an elephant seal bigger and heavier or a hippo?
Elephant seals and hippos are two different species of large mammals. Elephant seals are marine mammals, while hippos are semi-aquatic mammals.
Elephant seals are adapted to live in the ocean, with thick fur and a streamlined body shape, while hippos are adapted to live in the water and on land, with thick, wrinkled skin and short legs.
Talking about their size difference, elephant seals are much larger than hippos, with adult males reaching lengths of up to 16 feet and weighing up to 8,000 pounds. In contrast, adult hippos can reach lengths of up to 16 feet and can weigh up to 4,500 pounds.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Southern elephant seal | Male 4.2 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) Female 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) | Male 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lb) Female 350 to 900 kg (770 to 1,980 lb) |
| Hippo | 1.3-1.6 m at the shoulder 2.9-5 meters (10-16 feet) long | 1,480 kg (3,260 lb) |
Elephant Seal Vs Sea Lion Size Comparison
Have you ever heard about the sea lions before? If not, then you should definitely read about this interesting creature.
Sea lions are large, aquatic mammals that are part of the same family as seals. Sea lions are distinguished from seals by their external ear flaps and longer, more flexible front flippers, which they use to move on land. They can also be distinguished by their distinct size.
Hippos, Elephant seals, and sea lions are also two different types of marine mammals. Elephant seals are larger than sea lions and can weigh up to 8,000 pounds, while sea lions typically weigh between 400 and 1,000 pounds.
In terms of their height, the elephant sea measures up to 8 feet at least, while sea lions typically reach heights of up to 7 feet for males and up to 4 feet for females.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Southern elephant seal | Male 4.2 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) Female 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) | Male 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lb) Female 350 to 900 kg (770 to 1,980 lb) |
| Sea lion | Male 7 feet Female 6 feet | 400 and 1,000 pounds |
Leopard Seal Vs Elephant Seal Size Comparison
Last up is the leopard seal, a leopard seal is a type of seal found in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. It is a large, predatory seal and is named for its distinctive black and white spotted coat, which resembles that of a leopard.
Leopard seals are smaller than elephant seals, with adult males reaching lengths of up to 11 feet and weighing up to 1,100 pounds. In contrast, adult male elephant seals can reach lengths of up to 16 feet and can weigh up to 8,000 pounds.
Overall, Leopard seals are also more agile and have a slender body shape, while elephant seals have a more robust body shape.
| Animal species | Average length/height | Weight |
| Southern elephant seal | Male 4.2 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) Female 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) | Male 1,500 to 3,700 kg (3,300 to 8,200 lb) Female 350 to 900 kg (770 to 1,980 lb) |
| Leopard seal | 2.9 to 3.6 m (8.45 to 11.7 ft.) | Male300 kg (660 lbs) Female 260 kg (572 lbs) |
Conclusion
And that was everything you need to know about the size of an Elephant seal. I hope this article was informative enough and your queries were answered.
Thank You For Reading!
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