Description
Mating scene with elevated Alpha Male. Elephant Seals of Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, CA, 31 Jan 2009.
Date 31 January 2009, 10:17:45
Source originally posted to Flickr as Mating scene with elevated Alpha Male. Elephant Seals of Piedras Blancas http://flickr.com/photos/72825507@N00/3242515873
Author Mike Baird http://flickr.com/photos/72825507@N00
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mating_scene_with_elevated_Alpha_Male._Elephant_Seals_of_Piedras_Blancas.jpg

The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the southern elephant seal). It is a member of the family Phocidae ("true seals"). Elephant seals derive their name from their great size and from the male's large proboscis, which is used in making extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating competition. Sexual dimorphism in size is great: The males can grow to 4 m and 2,300 kg, while the females grow to 3 m and 640 kg. Order: Carnivora, Family: Phocidae.