Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any journey 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 fun information about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many alternative species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh around 7 - 800 kg. An grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within three months they are going to weigh stuffed elephant toy 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 extremely social animals and type giant teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be found across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her blubber through 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 town 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 long run of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which stay primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to attack and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals due to a number of causes, partly due to their size and likewise 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 quantity 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, but keep your distance - despite their size they will move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Typically they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered listing, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any instant hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might 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 leading 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.
