News Animals

Male elephant seals aim to get huge or die trying

Only the largest males get to mate, so the pressure to eat and grow is extreme

male northern elephant seal

A male northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) surfaces in the North Pacific. The instrument on its head logs the animal’s depth and geographic position.

Stephen Trumble, NMFS permit 19108

By Jake Buehler

- More than 2 years ago

If you’re a male northern elephant seal, your car-sized bulk is crucial to your genetic legacy, since only a fraction of the very largest males will have access to mates.