Why do elephant seals throw sand on themselves and why do they all lay on top of each other in groups?

Answer 1

Wet sand helps to cool them down and also relieves itching when they are moulting. Mud wallows are very useful then too. They don't usually lie on top of each other but very close together. The females form themselves into harems and the male that owns that part of the beach rules the harem. he keeps his females close together. When elephant seals come ashore to moult, they shed the outer layer of skin. This is an itchy process and rubbing against other seals and rocks helps to relieve itchiness.

Answer 2

Elephant seals are just slobs hauling their fat, slovenly bodies onto the sand and flailing about making odd noises and aren't excellent groomers such as housecats. They lay about in large groups because when they have to go back out to sea to hunt for fish it reduces the chances a shark or killer whale will eat them mathematically. For example, if there are 500 elephant seals all taking to the water one individual seals chances of being eaten are 1 in 500. If he were by himself it would be 1 in 1.