Taxa
Mirounga
Genus
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Mirounga is a genus of true seals, family Phocidae, comprising two species, the northern elephant seal and the southern elephant seal, both very large, oceangoing seals and the largest of all seal species; males can weigh up to 4,000 kilograms. The name derives from the large proboscis of the adult male, reminiscent of an elephants trunk. Both species suffered severe population decline from 19th century hunting for lamp oil but have since recovered.
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