Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite 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 grownup male stuffed animal Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and kind giant teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be found across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Solely 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 range, so there are nonetheless issues over the future of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell mainly 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 part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals as a result of quite a few causes, partly due to their measurement and in addition 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 quantity of the sound is a demonstration to others how powerful 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, however keep your distance - despite their dimension they will transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Usually they don't seem to be afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered listing, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any quick danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. 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 number one professional 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.
