elephant seal

[ el-uh-fuhnt seel ]

noun

1. either of two large earless seals of the genus Mirounga, specifically M. angustirostris northern elephant seal of the Pacific coast of North America and M. leonina southern elephant seal of the Southern Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean, both species noted for a curved proboscis resembling an elephant's trunk: the largest living carnivorans, weighing up to 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms).

elephant seal

noun

1. either of two large earless seals, Mirounga leonina of southern oceans or M. angustirostris of the N Atlantic, the males of which have a long trunklike snout

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant seal¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

September and October are also the best months to see large populations of elephant seals hauling their enormous bodies onto the beaches at Piedra Blancas Light Station.

From Outside Online

Crashing surf, a gray whale offshore, a fleet of elephant seals lolling on a beach.

From Outside Online

Then, using a device called a respirometer, researchers measured otter muscle cells’ respiratory capacity in different states of oxygen flow compared with other animals — including humans, Iditarod sled dogs and elephant seals.

From Science News

It’s home to elephant seals, bobcats, otters, owls, and over 100 rare, threatened, or endangered species of animals and plants.

From Outside Online

Hoskins noted that northern elephant seals exhale before diving deep.

From Science News

The southern Elephant Seal is M. leoninus, and reaches a length of some 20 feet.

From Project Gutenberg

The rhytina, the Californian elephant seal, the great auk, and the Labrador duck have already been exterminated.

From Project Gutenberg