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 among our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings 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 five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind giant teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores in the world consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of food of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 times the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber throughout the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still issues over the future of those animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and white elephant stuffed animals on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their important predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to attack and kill stray younger. They are known as elephant seals on account of a variety of causes, partly due to their measurement and also 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 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 dimension they'll transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Generally 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 in your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered checklist, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any rapid danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might in the future see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading knowledgeable 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.
