The Elephant Seals of Año Nuevo
On a recent Monday, Alexander and I, along with our friend Richard, drove over to Año Nuevo on the southern coast of San Mateo County and site of largest mainland breeding colony of the northern elephant seal.
We had reservations for the 9:15 a.m. walk but arrived early and were able to join the 9:00 a.m. group. Tickets are $7 and available online. The day was sunny and clear, something we appreciated given the many rainy days we've had this year. To view the colony, one must make the 3 mile walk in a small group accompanied by a docent. Our docent was well-informed and presented information about the elephant seals in an interesting manner.
From the Visitor's Center you can see the point (at right in the photo below). Our hike will take us to the beach on the other side of the point to observe the mainland colony up close. Beyond the point, on a nearly island, another large colony makes its home. That area is not accessible to the public but can be viewed in the Visitor's Center via a strategically-placed videocam on the island.
Elephant seal females arrive at Año Nuevo in late December and form "harems" on the beaches. Within a week, the females, ranging in in size from 10-12 feet and weighing 1200 to 2000 pounds, give birth to a pup weighing about 75 pounds. They nurse the pup for only 25-28 days.
The males are easy to spot because of their pendulous noses. Younger males have smaller noses but the older, "alpha" males have a huge proboscis which they use for LOUD roaring, especially when competing to mate. The males will grow to about 16 feet and weigh over 5,000 pounds.
This younger "beta" male is feeling his oats...
...and decides to challenge a sleeping alpha male.
But Beta quickly retreats when he sees the size of Alpha (right)! Check out Alpha's nose.
After nursing on the mother's rich milk for about 28 days, the pups weigh 250-350 pounds. The mothers abandon the pups and head back to sea after mating. By mid-March, most of the adults have left and only the pups remain at Año Nuevo. They spend their days in the sea learning to swim and evading predators such as sharks.
The females come into season about 24 days after giving birth and will mate before heading out to sea for several months of feeding. Adult elephant seals will return to Año Nuevo in the spring and summer months for their annual "catastrophic" molt where they abruptly shed their old skin and fur.
This is a great day-trip, and is especially educational for students.
~ Lisa
We had reservations for the 9:15 a.m. walk but arrived early and were able to join the 9:00 a.m. group. Tickets are $7 and available online. The day was sunny and clear, something we appreciated given the many rainy days we've had this year. To view the colony, one must make the 3 mile walk in a small group accompanied by a docent. Our docent was well-informed and presented information about the elephant seals in an interesting manner.
From the Visitor's Center you can see the point (at right in the photo below). Our hike will take us to the beach on the other side of the point to observe the mainland colony up close. Beyond the point, on a nearly island, another large colony makes its home. That area is not accessible to the public but can be viewed in the Visitor's Center via a strategically-placed videocam on the island.
The males are easy to spot because of their pendulous noses. Younger males have smaller noses but the older, "alpha" males have a huge proboscis which they use for LOUD roaring, especially when competing to mate. The males will grow to about 16 feet and weigh over 5,000 pounds.
This younger "beta" male is feeling his oats...
...and decides to challenge a sleeping alpha male.
But Beta quickly retreats when he sees the size of Alpha (right)! Check out Alpha's nose.
After nursing on the mother's rich milk for about 28 days, the pups weigh 250-350 pounds. The mothers abandon the pups and head back to sea after mating. By mid-March, most of the adults have left and only the pups remain at Año Nuevo. They spend their days in the sea learning to swim and evading predators such as sharks.
The females come into season about 24 days after giving birth and will mate before heading out to sea for several months of feeding. Adult elephant seals will return to Año Nuevo in the spring and summer months for their annual "catastrophic" molt where they abruptly shed their old skin and fur.
This is a great day-trip, and is especially educational for students.
~ Lisa
Posted by Sage Travelers at February 13, 2010 
Categories: 50 States, Close to Home
Tags: Elephant Seals
Categories: 50 States, Close to Home
Tags: Elephant Seals
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