Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun info about these magnificent creatures and the environment they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various 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 three months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 giant teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals in their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to 10 times the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from stuffed animal a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless 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 dwell mainly around 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 vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to attack and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals because of a lot of causes, partly due to their dimension and also partly because of 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 powerful 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their dimension they will transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they are not afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered list, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any fast danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could sooner or later see some points 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 local of Poland, and was base commander of the Polish base on the Antarctic Peninsula for several seasons.
