Southern Elephant Seal
Southern Elephant Seal
Mammal
A colossal southern seal that holds its breath for up to two hours and dives deeper than almost any other mammal.
💡 Fun Facts
- This huge seal is one of the deepest-diving mammals known, reaching around 2,388 metres down — on current best evidence a little deeper than the sperm whale, though scientists still debate which goes deepest.
- On its longest dives it can hold its breath for up to about two hours, slowing its heart to save oxygen.
- A big bull can grow to around 5 metres and weigh as much as a small lorry; the females are far smaller, about 3 metres long.
Name Story
Mirounga leonina
means “the lion-like (seal), from the Aboriginal name miouroung”
What does its name mean?
- Mirounga — elephant sealan Australian Aboriginal word (miouroung) for the animal
- leonina — lion-like — for the bull's roar and heavy neckLatin leo 'lion' + -ina 'like'
The first name comes from an Australian Aboriginal word for the animal, and the second means 'lion-like' — a nod to the bull's thunderous roar and the great heavy folds around his neck.