The northern elephant seal, somewhat smaller than its southern relative, ranges over the Pacific coast of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The most northerly breeding location on the Pacific Coast is at Race Rocks Marine Protected Area, at the southern tip of Vancouver Island in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

[9] Elephant seals are marine mammals classified under the order Pinnipedia, which, in Latin, means feather- or fin-footed.

[10] In addition, the hind flippers of elephant seals have a lot of surface area, which helps propel them in the water.

[10] Elephant seals spend the majority of their life (90%) underwater in search of food, and can cover 100 kilometres (60 miles) a day when they head out to sea.

[11] Sexual dimorphism is extreme, with male elephant seals weighing up to 10 times more than females,[12] and having a prominent proboscis.

More importantly, however, the nose acts as a sort of rebreather, filled with cavities that reabsorb moisture from their exhalations.

[14] This is important during the mating season when the seals do not leave the beach to feed, and must conserve body moisture as there is no incoming source of water.

Northern elephant seal bulls reach a length of 4.3 to 4.8 m (14 to 16 ft) and the heaviest weigh about 2,500 kg (5,500 lb).

When molting occurs, the seal is susceptible to the cold, and must rest on land, in a safe place called a "haul out".

[23] They are able to slow down their heartbeat (bradycardia) and divert blood flow from the external areas of the body to important core organs.

[24] Elephant seals have large circular eyes that have more rods than cones to help them see in low light conditions when they are diving.

[11] The turbinate process, another unique adaptation, is very beneficial when these seals are fasting, breeding, molting, or hauling out.

[11][further explanation needed] This unique nasal structure recycles moisture when they breathe and helps prevent water loss.

[11] Elephant seals have external whiskers called vibrissae to help them locate prey and navigate their environment.

[11] Birth on average only takes a few minutes, and the mother and pup have a connection due to each other's unique smell and sound.

They employ these different strategies because females are smaller, requiring less food, and it is also most important for them to have as many breeding seasons as possible in order to maximize reproductive success.

On the other hand, males can adopt a riskier strategy in the hopes of gaining as much mass as possible, and thus being able to have one extremely successful breeding season.

[30] Once a year, elephant seals go through a process called molting where they shed the outer layer of hair and skin.

[11] Sheathbills, Skuas, Western Gulls, and African feral cats have been reported to steal milk from the elephant seals' teats.

[31][32][33][34] The IUCN lists both species of elephant seal as being of least concern, although they are still threatened by entanglement in marine debris, fishery interactions, and boat collisions.

Though a complete population count of elephant seals is not possible because all age classes are not ashore at the same time, a 2005 study of the California breeding stock estimated approximately 124,000 individuals.

In Mexico, the northern elephant seal is protected in the Guadalupe Island Biosphere Reserve where it was rediscovered after being believed to be extinct.