Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable info about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various 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 babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 type massive teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the earth eating squid and fish as the primary sources of food in their food plan, 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 difference between the male and feminine of white elephant stuffed animals a species. Males could also be up to ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her 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 gentle the city a year. 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. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to attack and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals as a result of various reasons, partly due to their dimension 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 volume of the sound is a demonstration to others how powerful 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 - regardless of their size they will move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Generally they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered list, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any quick hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might sooner or later 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 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.
