9 Animals Rocking Their Unique Looks

7. Elephant Seal: The Colossal Kings of the Coastline

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Named for its size and the unique proboscis of the male, the elephant seal is a marine mammal that draws notice for both its amazing weight and interesting adaption. With two species known—the northern and southern elephant seals—these amazing animals are found in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic seas. Extreme sexual dimorphism—that is, males much larger than females—exists in both species, and this is a trait absolutely important for their mating techniques and social dynamics. Male elephant seals are most strikingly distinguished by their big, inflatable proboscis, which starts to develop at roughly three to five years of sexual maturity. Usually between seven and nine years old, a male reaches complete maturity and by then this appendage has developed to its full size, giving the animal an elephant-like look. Though mostly connected to mating and dominance displays, the proboscis has other functions. Males utilise their proboscis to create loud, resonant vocalisations audible for miles during the breeding season. Crucially important in establishing and preserving dominance hierarchies in breeding colonies, these roars scare competing males and draw females. Among the most extreme forms of sexual dimorphism in the animal world, male and female elephant seals differ in size. While women usually develop to about 10 feet (3,000 kg), adult men can reach lengths of up to 20 feet (6 meters) and weigh as much as 8,800 pounds (4,000 kg). Men's fierce battle for mating rights accounts for this striking size disparity. Known as "beach masters," the biggest and most powerful males can mate with dozens of females in one breeding season; smaller or less dominant males may not mate at all. Spending most of their lives at sea, elephant seals come onshore only to moult, breed, and give birth. Impressive aquatic adaptations enable them to stay submerged for up to two hours and descend to depths of more than 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). Their bodies are streamlined for effective swimming; their thick layer of blubber acts as an energy reserve during land fasting and insulates in chilly seas. Their sensitive whiskers enable them to find prey in the dark ocean depths; their big eyes are tuned for low-light situations at depth. Elephant seal breeding is a natural wonder show. Using their great weight and powerful canine teeth to establish and defend territories, males fight fiercely for control throughout the breeding season. Usually resulting in major injuries or even death, these conflicts can be vicious. After then, the triumphant men oversee harems of women, sometimes totalling fifty or more. Shortly after arriving on land, females produce a single pup which they nurse for roughly one month before mating once more and heading back to sea. Elephant seals have a history of almost extinction from human hunting, even although their present stable population count is somewhat high. Their blubber, which turned into oil, was much sought for in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The northern elephant seal was believed to be extinct by the 1890s until a small group of perhaps 100 animals was found on Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja California. With current population estimates in the hundreds of thousands, both species of elephant seals have remarkably recovered thanks to early 20th century conservation actions. Elephant seals today encounter fresh difficulties mostly connected to marine pollution and climate change. Ocean temperatures and currents can change their prey distribution, therefore influencing their foraging success. Furthermore vulnerable to bioaccumulation of toxins including mercury and persistent organic pollutants, top predators can have an impact on their health and success in reproduction. Finally, the elephant seal is evidence of the amazing variety of marine life and the amazing adaptations that have developed in response to the difficulties of existence in the ocean because of its odd look and interesting biology. From their remarkable diving skills to their severe sexual dimorphism, these creatures nevertheless enthral both researchers and nature lovers alike and serve as a reminder of the beauties still to be found in the oceans.