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. Considered one of our favourite 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 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 up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 massive groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of meals of their weight loss program, 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 difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted baby elephant stuffed animals for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly 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 future of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which reside primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their most important predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to attack and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals on account of plenty of causes, partly because of their measurement and in addition 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 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 - regardless of their size they'll move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Usually they don't seem to be afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered checklist, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any rapid hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might 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 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.
