Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One among our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun info about these magnificent creatures and the setting they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different species of animals to observe. Females elephant stuffed animal are smaller and weigh around 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside three months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are usually 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 extremely social animals and type large groups or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of food in their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to 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 may be up to ten occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, however 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 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless considerations over the long run of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which reside primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to assault and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals as a result of quite a lot of reasons, partly due to their dimension and also 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 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, but keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they can transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Usually they aren't 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 once being on the endangered checklist, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any fast hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may sooner or later 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 several seasons.
