Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many alternative species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh around 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and kind massive groups or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of meals of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to ten instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still considerations over the future of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live primarily across the Baja Gulf in stuffed elephant for baby Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their essential predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They are referred to as elephant seals because of a lot of reasons, partly because of their measurement and likewise partly due to the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with other males for his harem. The depth and volume of the sound is a demonstration to others how powerful he's, and thus so avoids fights with competing males. The trunk is inflated with air which is inhaled and thus a loud bellowing sound is produced. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - despite their measurement they can transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Typically they are not afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered record, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any quick danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might sooner or later see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one knowledgeable on Elephant seals and their behaviour. Dr. Mikolaj is a native of Poland, and was base commander of the Polish base on the Antarctic Peninsula for a number of seasons.
