Two pinniped species live on this coast. The southern elephant seal has its only growing mainland breeding colony on the Valdes Peninsula. The South American sea lion forms colonies at Punta Loma, Punta Norte and Punta Pirámides.
| Southern elephant seal | South American sea lion | |
|---|---|---|
| Male size | Up to 4.5 m and over 3,000 kg | Up to 2.5 m and about 300 kg |
| Key feature | Trunk-like nose (proboscis) on males | Mane on males |
| Moves by | Dragging its body | Walking on its front flippers |
| Where to see | Caleta Valdés, Punta Delgada | Punta Loma, Punta Norte, Punta Pirámides |
| Pupping | August to November | December and January |
Local tip: young elephant seals in moult (December to March) lie still on the beach for hours: the easiest subjects for photos.
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