The very young southern elephant seals are called weaners
since their moms have weaned them. They are not aggressive
and often approach us hoping we might be a mother to them.

The young southern elephant seals can be playful and curious.
We are in the beginning of the elephant seal breeding season
and the adult males can be dangerous to anyone around them.
An adult male southern elephant seal can be 20 feet long
and weigh up to 8,800 pounds.