BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- Why did the elephant seal cross the road? To get to puddle on the other side.

    That's the best explanation authorities in San Luis Obispo, California, can come up with after an adult elephant seal on Tuesday deserted the beach and crossed Highway 1 running through the Central Coast city.

    Authorities decided not to try to force the seal back across the highway, but to watch it closely and see if the massive animal would head back to its natural habitat on its own.

    He didn't. In fact, as of Wednesday, he had found a large puddle in the grass and settled in. For how long, no one knows.

    Experts are now concerned the giant mammal may get too comfortable in his muddy home away from home and lose interest in heading back to the beach.

    The elephant seal should be able to go about two weeks before experiencing hunger pains, experts said.

    (Agencies)