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 all our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun info 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 around 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 babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within three months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form large teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their weight loss plan, 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 difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to ten occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be found across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless concerns over the longer term of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their essential predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to assault and kill stray young. They're known as elephant seals attributable to plenty of reasons, partly due to their dimension and likewise partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress stuffed elephant toy 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 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, however keep your distance - despite their size they can transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered list, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any instant hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may 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 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.
