The northern elephant seal is a large marine mammal found along the Pacific coast of North America, primarily from California to Alaska. Males can weigh up to 4,500 pounds and are known for their distinctive large noses, which resemble an elephant's trunk. They spend most of their lives in the ocean, coming ashore mainly for breeding and molting. These seals are known for their remarkable diving abilities, capable of reaching depths of over 5,000 feet while hunting for fish and squid. After being hunted nearly to extinction in the 19th century, their population has rebounded due to conservation efforts, with current estimates around 200,000 individuals.