Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible 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, listed below are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 grownup 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. stuffed elephant for baby Inside 3 months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation interval for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form large teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on this planet 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 may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten occasions the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still concerns over the long run of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their foremost predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals resulting from plenty of reasons, partly due to their dimension and also partly due to 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their size they will move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered checklist, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any fast hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could 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 number one skilled 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 several seasons.
