Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 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 type giant teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the primary sources of meals in their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to 10 occasions the load 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 their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless considerations over the longer term of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their foremost predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to assault and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals as a consequence of quite a few reasons, partly because of their size and likewise 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 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - regardless of their size they can transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. white elephant stuffed animals Despite once being on the endangered listing, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any instant hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could 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.
