Elephant Seals are seen year-round at the Piedras Blancas Rookery. Best times of year to see these amazing animals in action are
October through May
with the big show (birthing and breeding) in January and February.
Where can you see elephant seals in Cambria?
The elephant seals are back at the
Piedras Blancas rookery
!
During the winter months, they will reach their peak numbers, making it the perfect time for you to come see them in their natural habitat! Since 1990, nearly 17,000 elephant seals have called the Piedras Blancas rookery home.
Are there elephant seals in San Simeon now?
The Piedras Blancas elephant seal rookery north of San Simeon is full of seals now
, but bulls with their signature trunk-like noses aren't among them. Adult females and young seals are on the beach in the spring, molting their skin.
Where is the best place to see elephant seals?
The best viewing areas are located
90 miles south of Monterey, 5 miles north of Hearst Castle State Historical Monument in San Simeon
. They are 1.5 miles south of Point Piedras Blancas. The viewing areas are open every day of the year, are wheelchair accessible and free.
Can seals bite?
Seals can bite, but usually as an act of self-defense
. All animals equipped with teeth, beaks, or pincers can “bite” humans and other animals when they feel threatened or provoked, and so do seals. Most seals are not known to be aggressive. Seal attacks on humans are rare, but they are not new.
Why is Hearst Castle closed?
(AP) — California's famous Hearst Castle will reopen to the public in May after a two-year closure
due to the pandemic and severe rainstorm damage
that prompted a $13.7 million renovation.
Can you buy an elephant seal?
$100 Elephant Seal Adoption Kit
Soft plush version of your adopted animal (for age 3 and up), packaged in a WWF gift box. 5′′ x 7′′ formal adoption certificate. 5′′ x 7′′ full-color photo of your species.
Why do elephant seals go to San Simeon?
Starting in December, pregnant female elephant seals begin arriving on the shores of San Simeon
to give birth
.
Do elephant seals live in Antarctica?
Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) live in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters
that feature brutally cold conditions but are rich in the fish, squid, and other marine foods these seals enjoy. Southern elephant seals breed on land but spend their winters in the frigid Antarctic waters near the Antarctic pack ice.
Why do elephant seals cover themselves with sand?
Why do they flip sand? Their bodies are designed to keep warm in cold water.
Sand flipping helps them keep cool on land by acting as a sunscreen
. In addition, they sometimes can be seen flipping sand under stressful conditions.
How long do elephant seals live?
The average lifespan of a northern elephant seal is 9 years, while the average lifespan of a southern elephant seal is 21 years
. Males reach maturity at five to six years, but generally do not achieve alpha status until the age of eight, with the prime breeding years being between ages 9 and 12.
Where are the sea lions in Big Sur?
The
Piedras Blancas rookery
is about 7 miles north of the town of San Simeon (250 miles north of Los Angeles) on the California Central Coast. It's an unbeatable viewing area because the seals have conveniently situated themselves RIGHT NEXT to the highway.
Where are the elephant seals in Big Sur?
These elephant seals reside within the
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
which emcompasses 276 miles of shoreline and 5,322 square miles of ocean. Click Here for more information about MBNMS.
What do elephant seals eat?
Behavior and Diet
Northern elephant seals' diet primarily consists of
squid and fishes, but they also consume rays and sharks
. Northern elephant seals spend about 9 months of the year in the ocean.
Are the elephant seals still at Drakes beach?
Since the winter of 2018,
male elephant seals have been returning to the beach near the visitor center in early December and pregnant female elephant seals have returned to the beach in late January to give birth to their pups
, according to a Point Reyes National Seashore webpage on elephant seals.
Where are the sea lions in northern California?
- La Jolla.
- Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
- San Simeon.
- San Francisco.
- Monterey Bay.
- Pacific Coast Highway.
Are there seals at Seal Beach California?
In Seal Beach you will notice that
little seals are everywhere
! The street signs have little seal emblems on them, the trash containers have seal designs, the playground below the pier has seal rides for the kiddos… the list goes on, and it can be great fun to spot as many as you can while you're in town.
Can seal eat humans?
Diet and foraging
They are the only seals known to regularly hunt and kill warm-blooded prey, including other seals. Although rare,
there are a few records of adult leopard seals attacking humans
. There has also been one fatality, when a researcher was snorkelling in Antarctic waters and was killed by a leopard seal.
What to do if a seal approaches you?
Always let seals make the first move – let them approach you. Sit back, wait quietly and observe
. Aim to stay calm and move slowly to avoid spooking the seals and provoking an aggressive response. Be confident that seals are generally gentle creatures unless they feel threatened.
Are sea lions friendly?
Although
sea lions are not normally aggressive towards humans
, attacks on humans may occur for many reasons: Territorial behaviour, sea lions attack to defend their territory. Breeding season and related hormonal changes that make them more readily agitated or the animal may be sick. Desensitization towards humans.
Is Hearst Castle temporarily closed?
Hearst Castle is expected to reopen in early 2022
. The historic landmark in San Simeon closed on March 15, 2020, due to the pandemic. Now more than a year later, it's still closed as State Parks tackles emergency repairs to the road that leads to the castle.
Will Hearst Castle open soon?
Hearst Castle is slated to reopen
May 11, 2022
, after a 2-year closure.
Why is San Simeon closed?
Due to significant storms that caused damage to the roadway leading up to the Historic Monument
, Hearst Castle is temporarily closed. California State Parks is dedicated to making sure that all measures are taken to ensure visitor safety.
What is bigger an elephant seal or a walrus?
These seals are famous for being big. They are the biggest of pinnipeds –
bigger even than walruses
– there being a record of a giant male Southern elephant seal that was between 6.5 and 6.8 m long and weighed over 4000 kg (Carwardine 1995).
Can you have a baby seal as a pet?
Yes, legally, you can have a pet seal
. This will only happen if you have all the facilities and space needed to keep the animal comfortable. You would need a pebble beach, a large saltwater pool for the seal to swim in.
How much is a pet seal?
You can expect to pay a hefty price to own a seal, probably between
$5,000 to $10,000
as the best guess. However, the initial price will just be the start. Before buying a seal, ensure you understand what type of budget you will need to house and feed a seal as a pet by reading the entirety of this article.
