Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable details about these magnificent creatures and the setting they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh around 7 - 800 kg. An grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 highly social animals and form massive groups or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the earth eating squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 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 could also be up to ten occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber throughout 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 town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still issues over the longer term of those animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell 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.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to attack and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals attributable to a lot of causes, partly due to 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 powerful 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their size they can move stuffed animal elephant quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Generally they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered record, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any quick danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could sooner or later see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one 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 a number of seasons.
