Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is in the Earless Seals family (Phocidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 11,845 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Northern Elephant Seal: observations by month (U.S.)
About Northern Elephant Seal
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 14 ft (4 m) and 5,000 lb (2,300 kg),...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Northern Elephant Seal by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 11,514 | January | Nov–Aug |
| Washington | 212 | July | Feb–Oct |
| Oregon | 116 | May | Feb–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Earless Seals)
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Northern Elephant Seal?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from November to August.
Where is Northern Elephant Seal most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.