Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable facts about these magnificent creatures and the setting they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside three months they may 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 female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and type large groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the primary sources of meals in their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, 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. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still issues over the future of these animals. Nonetheless, from baby elephant stuffed animals a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which reside mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their essential predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to attack and kill stray younger. They are known as elephant seals due to various causes, partly due to their size and likewise 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 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their measurement they'll move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Generally they don't seem to be afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered checklist, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any fast hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities may in the future see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one expert 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 a number of seasons.
