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 among our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable info about these magnificent creatures and the setting they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 kind massive groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their diet, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male stuffed elephant toy and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to 10 instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be found throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber throughout the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless concerns over the long run of these animals. However, 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 Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their primary predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray young. They're called elephant seals resulting from a number of causes, partly due to their measurement and in addition partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with other males for his harem. The depth and quantity of the sound is a demonstration to others how highly effective he is, 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - despite their dimension they can move fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Generally they don't seem to be afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered checklist, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any rapid danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might sooner or later see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one skilled 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.
