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South Beach, Piedras Blancas Rookery
North Beach, Piedras Blancas Rookery
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If you are witnessing harassment of an elephant seal anywhere in the rookery or any human activity of concern on the live stream, please call State Park Dispatch: 805-927-2068. As always, thanks for checking on the seals!
Want to learn more about what you’re seeing now?
It’s the start of the birthing and breeding season at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Bulls (adult male elephant seals) are arriving to reserve a spot on the beach for the arrival of the pregnant female seals later in December. There are still quite a few juvenile seals on the beaches. They’ll be leaving soon, as the adults arrive.
Many of our visitors enjoy watching the most active sub-adult male seals at this time of the year- they challenge each other and the bulls to test the dominance hierarchy. You may see vocalizing, fights, chases and skirmishes as they learn about each other. Listen for their unique vocal signatures too! Learn more about Elephant Seal Vocalization.
You can visit the Friends of the Elephant Seal YouTube Channel to see videos about the Winter Birthing and Breeding Season in 14 languages! Choose from English, Spanish, Mandarin, Chinese Traditional, Danish, Dutch, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Italian, Portuguese and Russian!
Planning a visit? Check What’s Happening Now to catch up arrivals and departures from the rookery beaches each month.
About The Seals
About Elephant Seals
Seals on the sand
The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, after the southern elephant seal. Much more agile in their ocean environment, an elephant seal moves on land with considerable effort, by using its front flippers and belly. Adult males are 14 to 16 feet (4 to 5 m) in length and 4,000 to 5,000 pounds (1,400 to 2,300 kg) in weight. The females are much smaller at about 9 to 12 feet (2.5 to 4 m) in length and weigh 900 to 1,800 pounds (400 to 800 kg). Pups are 3 to 4 feet (1 m) long at birth and weigh about 70 pounds (32 kg).
What's Happening On The Beach?
Month by Month at the rookery
The number of seals at the rookery peaks three times during the year: in late January when most births have occurred, around the first of May at the peak of the juvenile/adult female molt, and in late October during the fall or juvenile haul-out. The annual cycle begins in November with the arrival of mature males at the end of the month.
Why Elephant Seals Are Awesome
Fun Facts
- Elephant seals take their name from the large proboscis of the adult male (bull), which resembles an elephant’s trunk.
- Male elephant seals weigh as much as a small truck or cargo van.
- Elephant seals are shielded from extreme cold more by their blubber than by fur.
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Friends of the Elephant Seal is a 501(c) (3) non- profit corporation, relying on grants, sponsorships, memberships and your donations. Your charitable contribution supports our programs.
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Friends of the Elephant Seal is a cooperating association with California State Parks.