Elephant seals are truly enormous creatures. Imagine something as heavy as a T-Rex dinosaur—that’s how big these seals can get! They are named “elephant seals” because of their special noses, which look a bit like an elephant’s trunk.
The big nose of an elephant seal isn’t just for show. It helps them roar really loudly, which is important for communication. But that’s not all! These seals spend most of their time in the water, and when they come onto land, their noses help them stay damp. The noses can absorb or take in water when they breathe, which is super helpful when they’re relaxing on the beach.
Elephant seals are built for life in the ocean. They can dive over 1.5 kilometers deep—that’s like walking for 20 minutes for a grown-up! Even more impressive, they can hold their breath for almost 2 hours while swimming underwater.
So, the next time you think of seals, remember the incredible elephant seals and their amazing abilities both on land and in the deep sea!
Make Your Own Elephant Seal Nose: Use playdough or clay to create a model of an elephant seal’s nose. Think about how big and special it is. Once you’ve made your nose, try using it to make loud roaring sounds like an elephant seal. Discuss with a friend or family member why the nose is important for the seal both on land and in the water.
Seal Dive Experiment: Fill a large bowl or container with water. Use a small toy or object to represent an elephant seal. Gently push it down to see how deep it can “dive.” Talk about how elephant seals can dive very deep in the ocean. Imagine what they might see or find at the bottom of the sea.
Breath-Holding Challenge: With an adult’s help, time how long you can hold your breath. Remember, elephant seals can hold their breath for almost 2 hours! After the challenge, discuss why being able to hold their breath for so long is important for elephant seals when they are underwater.
