Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in all our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable 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 around 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they'll 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 highly social animals and form giant groups or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the principle sources of meals in their food regimen, 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 occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone stuffed animal used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless considerations over the longer term of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which live mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their essential predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to attack and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals resulting from a lot of causes, partly due to their size and in addition partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with different males for his harem. The depth and volume 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their dimension they can move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Typically they are not afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered listing, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any rapid danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities may 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 leading knowledgeable 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.
