Southern Elephant Seals vs. Walruses

Attribute	Southern Elephant Seals	Walruses
Scientific Name	Mirounga leonina	Odobenus rosmarus
Size	Up to 20 feet long	Up to 12 feet long
Weight	Up to 8,800 pounds	Up to 3,700 pounds
Habitat	Antarctic waters	Arctic and subarctic regions
Diet	Primarily fish and squid	Clams, mollusks, and fish
Tusks	None	Present in males and some females

Physical Characteristics

Southern Elephant Seals and Walruses are both large marine mammals, but they have distinct physical characteristics that set them apart. Southern Elephant Seals are known for their massive size, with males reaching lengths of up to 20 feet and weighing as much as 8,800 pounds. They have a distinctive trunk-like nose, which gives them their name. In contrast, Walruses are slightly smaller, with males reaching lengths of up to 12 feet and weighing around 3,700 pounds. They are easily recognizable by their long tusks and thick blubber layer.

Habitat

Both Southern Elephant Seals and Walruses are found in cold, coastal waters, but they inhabit different regions. Southern Elephant Seals are primarily found in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica, where they breed and molt on remote beaches. They spend most of their time at sea, diving to great depths in search of food. On the other hand, Walruses are found in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas, where they rely on sea ice for resting and breeding. They are known to migrate long distances in search of food, often congregating in large herds on ice floes.

Diet

When it comes to diet, Southern Elephant Seals and Walruses have different preferences. Southern Elephant Seals are carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are skilled divers, capable of reaching depths of over 5,000 feet in search of prey. In contrast, Walruses are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of marine organisms, including clams, mussels, and other benthic invertebrates. They use their sensitive whiskers to detect food on the ocean floor and their tusks to extract it from the sediment.

Social Structure

Both Southern Elephant Seals and Walruses are social animals, but they have different social structures. Southern Elephant Seals are known for their polygynous mating system, where dominant males establish harems of females during the breeding season. They are highly territorial and engage in fierce battles to defend their territories. In contrast, Walruses have a more relaxed social structure, forming large herds on ice floes or beaches. They are known to be vocal animals, communicating with each other through a variety of sounds.

Reproduction

Reproduction is a crucial aspect of the life cycle for both Southern Elephant Seals and Walruses. Southern Elephant Seals have a unique breeding strategy, with males arriving at breeding beaches before the females to establish territories. Females give birth to a single pup after a gestation period of around 11 months and nurse them for several weeks before weaning them. In contrast, Walruses give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of around 15 months. Mothers are highly protective of their calves, nursing them for up to two years before they are weaned.

Conservation Status

Both Southern Elephant Seals and Walruses face threats to their populations due to human activities and climate change. Southern Elephant Seals were once hunted for their blubber and fur, leading to a significant decline in their numbers. However, conservation efforts have helped to stabilize their populations in recent years. On the other hand, Walruses are facing habitat loss due to the melting of sea ice in the Arctic. This loss of habitat makes it challenging for them to find suitable resting and breeding grounds, putting their populations at risk.