Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable stuffed animal species. One of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable info about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many alternative species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 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. Within three months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 giant teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the earth eating squid and fish as the main sources of meals of their weight loss program, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals actually 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 variety, so there are nonetheless concerns over the future of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to attack and kill stray young. They're called elephant seals on account of quite a lot of 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'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 measurement they'll move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually 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. Regardless of once being on the endangered listing, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any immediate danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could sooner or later see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading professional 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.
