Southern elephant seals are the largest seals, found in sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters. Males can grow up to 16 feet long and weigh 6,000 pounds. Their name comes from their trunk-like snouts, not their size.

The Baikal seal, found in Siberia’s Lake Baikal, is the only freshwater seal. This lake is the oldest and deepest in the world, hosting a diverse range of wildlife. Baikal seals showcase an evolutionary shift from land to semi-aquatic life.

Seal pups are young seals until they are weaned at one year old. During this time, they learn to swim and hunt, often losing nearly half their body weight. They become adults at six years old and can live up to 30 years.