Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive stuffed elephants and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun info about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere 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 babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 highly social animals and type massive groups or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of food of their diet, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and might 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 will be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless considerations over the future of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to attack and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals as a result of a variety of causes, partly because of their measurement 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 volume 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, however keep your distance - regardless of their dimension they'll move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered list, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any quick danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may sooner or later see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading skilled 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.
