Southern Elephant Seals Quiz

How long does the mother elephant seal nurse her pup?

• Less than a week

• Around three weeks

• Several months

• Over a year

How long can elephant seals stay underwater during their dives?

• Up to 5 minutes

• Up to 10 minutes

• Up to 20 minutes or more

• Up to 1 hour

What is the purpose of the thick layer of blubber in southern elephant seals?

• To make them buoyant in water

• To provide insulation and keep them warm

• To help them fly

• To protect against predators

What distinguishes male elephant seals and gives them their name?

• Enormous size

• Long tusks

• Colorful markings

• Large fins

What is the primary reason southern elephant seals come to land?

• To escape predators

• To give birth and breed

• To rest after swimming

• To molt their fur

Where does the northern elephant seal live?

• Atlantic Ocean

• Arctic Ocean

• Pacific Ocean

• Indian Ocean

What is a notable behavior of male elephant seals on land?

• Building nests

• Inflating their snouts and bellowing

• Hibernating

• Flying in formation

What is the primary reason for the southern elephant seals to come to land besides giving birth?

• To escape predators

• To socialize in colonies

• To molt

• To find food

What is the fate of the pup after the mother returns to the sea?

• It stays on land and joins a colony.

• It enters the sea within a couple of months.

• It remains with the mother for several years.

• It becomes independent immediately.