It’s a girl! A female southern elephant seal born in Western Australia
Clive R. McMahon A G , Michele Thums B , Miecha Bradshaw C , Steven Busby C , Vaughn Chapple C , Melissa Evans C , Stephen Goodlich C , Clair Holland D , Holly Raudino E , Paul Rebuck C and Mark A. Hindell F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Sydney Institute of Marine Science, 19 Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
B Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia (M096), 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
C Metropolitan Marine Parks, Swan Coastal District, 39 Northside Drive, Hillarys, WA 6025, Australia.
D Perth Zoo, 20 Labouchere Road, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
E Department of Parks and Wildlife, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Bentley, WA 6983, Australia.
F Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.
G Corresponding author. Email: clive.mcmahon@utas.edu.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 65(3) 179-182 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO17036
Submitted: 7 July 2017 Accepted: 15 September 2017 Published: 27 October 2017
Abstract
Southern elephant seals typically breed on subantarctic islands and breeding in more temperate regions is rare. This small female (~1.42 m) that weaned after 25 days is smaller than the average weaned female elephant seal and her survival prospects are correspondingly low (20–35%). The fact that the elephant seal was successfully weaned offers some insight into the breeding plasticity in this species.
Additional keywords: Integrated Marine Observing System, Mirounga leonina, survival.
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