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 enjoyable details about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within three months they will 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 giant groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores in the world consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of food of their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m baby elephant stuffed animals deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to ten times the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered across the Antarctic area, 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 - three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still considerations over the longer term of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They're called elephant seals due to quite a few reasons, partly due to their size and also partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with other males for his harem. The depth and volume of the sound is a demonstration to others how highly effective 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 - despite their measurement they will transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Typically they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered list, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any instant hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. 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 professional 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 several seasons.
