Do pennipeds migrate on the west north american coast, If so what is the pattern and timing?

Answer 1

Norhtern Elephant seals (the largest Pinniped, note the spelling, on the West Coast), undergo a seasonal migration. The females begin to haul out at Ano Nuevo and Point Reyes (on the coast of central California) in November and begin to give birth to their pups and are joined by the adult males about a month later.

Once the pups are born the females mate again. Because of something called delayed implantation they aren't technically yet pregnant this occurs once they are again out at sea in the spring. The gestation period is about 8-9 months and the pups will not be born until the females are again on land.

The new generation as well as younger males tend to linger at the pupping areas the longest some staying as late as the early summer. Come fall the cycle is repeated again.

Answer 2

Certainly elephant seals do...this link shows the migration pattern. But also, I had heard from the park rangers at Ano Nuevo state park here in CA where a large colony exists...that the females migrate out towards Hawaii while the males head up to Alaska (where they are eaten by killer whales and great white sharks!). Explains the large harems of many females to one male at the colonies!

Answer 3

The babies are generally born in early summer or when the food supply is most plentiful. All follow a specific dependable migration pattern. They build up a reserve of fat to last through the hardest part of migration. All pennipeds are typical in this way.