Ano Nuevo Elephant Seals
Posted by juliana on February 17th, 2008 filed in Marine Wildlife
From November through March there are Elephant seals at Ano Nuevo state beach. They come to shore only to molt, mate, and give birth. For the breeding season the males begin to arrive in November, and the females in December. The females begin to leave in February and the males, in March. For molting, females and juveniles molt from April through May, young males, from May through June, adult males from July through August.
You start the tour on a gorgeous walk from the visitors center to the beach. Along the way the guide may to show you some interesting plant and animal life, such as the rare Crested Cara Cara who started coming to Ano Nuevo. On the walk the guide will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Why are they called Elephant seals? Is a question you might be asking. Because the males have a trunk, just like an Elephant. They use this trunk for vocalization.
I went in mid February which is a great time to see weaners (elephant seals whose mothers have just left) and babies. When the babies are born they weigh 75 pounds and quickly gain up to 10 pounds a day on milk that is 55% fat! In a month, they may weigh up to 300 pounds. That though, is nothing compared to adult males weighing around 2 tons.
With a guide you can get within 20 feet of the elephant seals. Even though you are rather close, you still may want to bring binoculars, also a camera and water are good things to bring.
Some of the noises the males make are quite extraordinary. From moans, burps, and a noise that sound like the elephant seal is banging on a kitchen pan.
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