Northern Elephant Seals migrate between the Mexican and Californian beaches twice a year. The first migration occurs after the breeding season in the winter finishes. The second migration occurs when the summer molt completes. Adult males are at sea for about 250 days every year, travelling 21,000km or more! Adult females are at sea for about 300 days, travelling 18,000km or more! There are no other known mammals that travel so far for their migrations or participate in two migrations in one year. The three times seals meet over the duration of the year are molting season, breeding season, and the Fall juvenile period. The breeding season lasts between December and March. These seals find their food in the North Pacific ocean. Adult male and female Northern Elephant seals find their food in different areas. Males finding their food in the Gulf of Alaska and females finding theirs more south.

Great white sharks are one of Northern Elephant seals main predators. Some of the seals’ food sources come from rays, sharks, skates, and cephalopods. Northern Elephant seals have the ability to stay under water for a very long time, along with Southern Elephant seals. Females can stay under water for 17 minutes on average, while males can stay underwater for 21 minutes on average. These long period journeys consist of deep dives and eating. With a very minimal time of 3 minutes at the surface. With some of the deepest dives being 1.5-2 hours and venturing to depths of 1,500m. Northern Elephant seals are in the ocean for about 9 months out of the year.

The seal pups remain black for about six weeks until they turn light silver after molting. Males grow an inflatable nose “proboscis” at about age 7. The nose covers over their upper lip by around eight inches. Males also grow a wider neck as they get older. Females have a smaller neck and nose. Adult females weigh about 1,300 pounds and grow to about 10 feet. Adult males weigh about 4,400 pounds and grow to about 13 feet!