South Atlantic Elephant Seal

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

There is a great difference in size and weight between males and females: average male weight is around 2'200 kg (maximum over 4'000 kg) and a length of 4.2 m (maximum 6.2 m). Females are about five times smaller than males: the females average weights about 500 kg and has a length of about 3 m. The colour of the fur in both sexes is from dark grey to brown with a lighter chest. Pups are born with dark brown-black fur, which they will molt about 1 month later for a shorter coat of gray hair.

Did you know?
that the South Atlantic Elephant Seal is the largest member of the order carnivora?

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	CARNIVORA
Suborder	PINNIPEDIA
Family	PHOCIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Mirounga leonina
Name (English)	South Atlantic Elephant Seal
Name (French)	Eléphant de mer du sud
Name (German)	Südlicher See-Elefant
Name (Spanish)	Elefante marino del sur
CITES Status	Appendix II
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
B. Navez

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Sub-Antarctic regions. Main breeding grounds are several subantarctic islands.
Habitat	On the coasts of sub-Antarctic islands, on beaches of sand or small rocks. They feed in deep water, mainly on squid and fish.
Wild population	About 650'000
Zoo population	Non reported to ISIS (2007)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 76 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Jerzy Strzelecki

Why do zoos keep this animal

The South Atlantic elephant seal is of educational interest because it is the largest seal and largest member of the order carnivora, and because of its interesting lifestyle. In addition, it is a good ambassador species for marine conservation.

How this animal should be kept

WAZA is currently looking into the possibility of developing global standards for marine mammals. The following should therefore be considered as preliminary information:

Although marine species, Elephant seals lion can be kept in freshwater pools if necessary. The water should be of good quality, and must either be filtered or replaced at appropriate intervals.

A pool for up to five adult Elephant seals must have the following dimensions: a minimum surface of 200 m² and an average water depth of 3 m, i.e. a water volume of 600 m³. For each additional adult animal, the water surface must be increased by 30 m², and the water volume accordingly.

The land part of the enclosure should have a size of 20 m² per adult animal.

Elephant seals should be fed at least twice per day. The diet consists of sea fish, such as herring or mackerel, of good quality. The fish should be supplemented with vitamins, in particular vitamin B1.

Regular training or other forms of behavioural enrichment are essential.