Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. One of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable info about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere 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. Within 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form giant teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the primary sources of meals in their weight loss program, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber throughout the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still concerns over the longer term of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals resulting from a lot of causes, partly due to their dimension and in addition partly due to the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with different males for his harem. The depth and volume of the sound is a demonstration to others how highly effective 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 - regardless of their dimension they can transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Generally they don't seem to be afraid stuffed elephant for baby of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered record, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any instant hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might in the future see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading expert 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.
