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. One in every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere 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 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 round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and kind massive teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their weight loss program, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to 10 times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really 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 still considerations over the longer term of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their important predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals as a consequence of a number of causes, partly due to their dimension and in addition 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'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, however keep your distance - despite their dimension they can transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Typically they are not afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory stuffed elephant for baby they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered checklist, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any speedy hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may in the future 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 leading 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 several seasons.
