Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favourite 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 alternative species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An grownup 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 round 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at stuffed animal elephant their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and type giant groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the earth eating squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their weight loss program, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to ten occasions the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still concerns over the future of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which live mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their principal predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to assault and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals due to a number of causes, partly due to their size and likewise partly due to 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 powerful 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 - regardless of their dimension they can transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they are not afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered list, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any immediate hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may 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 leading 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 several seasons.
