June – September

In June we begin to see the arrival of males with the first sign of puberty – the growth of the nose (proboscis) which begins at about age five. As the molting season continues, we then see more older males, finishing with the arrival of the adult males in July and August.

The nose growth and the change of the neck area (chest shield) to thick, tough, calloused skin are marks of the male advancing to adulthood. While a few females may live 20 or more years, very few males make it to the age of 14. The number of seals on the beach at this time is small since the only seals left to molt are older males. Sparring between males may now seem a little more serious than with the juveniles.

January

This is the month with the most births. Mothers give birth a few days after arrival. While labor may be long, the actual birth usually takes only a few minutes. Mom immediately turns to...

February

Birthing peaks in January and continues into February. Mating peaks in mid-February. There may be fights as males try to improve their standing. As their mothers leave the beach to finally...

March

Adult males that arrived in December leave the beach. They have lost as much as 40% of their weight, after fasting for over three months. The older weanlings will begin to make their way...

April – May

Adult females that left the rookery after weaning their pups, as well as juveniles that were out at sea all winter, begin arriving late in March. This is the start of the molting season....

September – November

Before all the big males have left, the fall haul-out begins. Juveniles of both sexes return from their post-molt migration. They have been at sea since their molt in the spring. As...

December

Adult male elephant seals weighing 3500 to 5000 pounds (1600 to 2300 kg) begin arriving late in November and will continue to arrive through much of December for the birthing and breeding...

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June – September

January

February

March

April – May

September – November

December

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