Attempted Predation on Northern Elephant Seal Weanlings (Mirounga angustirostris) by Coyote (Canis latrans) in Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Ballinger K, Cox M, Horowski D, Codde S . 2025. Attempted Predation on Northern Elephant Seal Weanlings (Mirounga angustirostris) by Coyote (Canis latrans) in Point Reyes National Seashore, California. Aquatic Mammals. 51(4):363-370
At one elephant seal pupping site in Point Reyes National Seashore, at least 34 elephant seal weanlings had their rear flippers bitten during the 2020 breeding season. Authors installed wildlife cameras and discovered that at least one coyote was attacking the weanlings. No weanlings were killed. The authors believe this is the first known instance of coyotes attacking healthy elephant seal weanlings throughout their population range.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Ballinger, Katharine; Cox, Marjorie; Horowski, Dane; Codde, Sarah
- Units
- PORE
- Keywords
- novel observation, Pinniped, predatory, prey