Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable info about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings 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 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and type giant groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the primary sources of food in their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber through the sealing days. Solely 2 stuffed animal elephant - three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city 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 those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their important predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to assault and kill stray young. They are called elephant seals on account of a lot of causes, 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 different males for his harem. The depth and quantity 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their dimension they will transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless 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. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered listing, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any immediate danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions 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 a number of seasons.
