Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible 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 below are some fun information about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they may 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 female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form giant groups or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the principle sources of meals in their diet, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across 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. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless concerns over the future of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated stuffed elephant for baby inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to attack and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals on account of quite a few reasons, partly due to their measurement and also 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 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, but keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they will transfer fast on land, and are highly 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 are often a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered listing, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any immediate hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could in the future 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 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 several seasons.
