Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable details about these magnificent creatures and the setting they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 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 round 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval 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. j6fofficedt2.almoheet-travel.com/10-facts-about-elephant-seals-chimu-adventures-weblog Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the principle 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 physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be found across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless concerns over the longer term of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to assault and kill stray younger. They're called elephant seals on account of a number 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 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their size they'll transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Generally they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered list, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any rapid danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could 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 number one expert 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.
