Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable facts about these magnificent creatures and the environment 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 infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are stuffed elephants generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation interval for a female 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 amongst the biggest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their diet, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless concerns over the long run of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their essential predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray younger. They are known as elephant seals because of numerous reasons, partly due to their size and likewise 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 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - regardless of their size they'll move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and young. Typically they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered list, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any fast hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nonetheless, 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 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.
