Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Considered one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun information about these magnificent creatures and the environment 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 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within three months they will 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 extremely social animals and form giant teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the main sources of meals of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten instances the weight 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 through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town 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 long run of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which stay mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their primary predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals as a consequence of quite a few causes, partly due to their size and also 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 - despite their dimension they'll transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can stuffed elephants be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered listing, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any rapid hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may in the future see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one expert 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.
