Southern Elephant Seal
Mirounga leonina
- Class
- Mammal
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 2,710
- Most observed in
- 🇦🇷 Argentina
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) is one of two species of elephant seals. It is the largest member of the clade Pinnipedia and the order Carnivora, as well as the largest extant marine mammal that is not a cetacean. It gets its name from its massive size and the large proboscis of the adult male, which is used to produce very loud roars, especially during the breeding season.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Southern elephant seal”.