The southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) is one of the two extant species of elephant seal. It is both the largest pinniped and member of the order Carnivora living today. The seal gets its name from its great size and the large proboscis of the adult males, which is used to make extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating season.Elephant seals are among the seals that can stay on land for the longestperiods of time, as they can stay dry for several consecutive weekseach year. Males arrive in the colonies earlier than the females andfight for control of haremshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_behavior#Harem when they arrive.