Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun information 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 around 7 - 800 kg. An adult 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 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation interval for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and kind large teams or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of food in their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be found across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still issues over the longer term of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their primary predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals due to a lot of causes, partly because of 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 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their measurement they will transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered listing, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant baby elephant stuffed animals seal is not in any fast hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might sooner or later see some issues 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 local of Poland, and was base commander of the Polish base on the Antarctic Peninsula for a number of seasons.
