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. Considered one of our favorite 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 round 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 babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind large teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still concerns over the future of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay 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 vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to assault and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals because of various reasons, partly because of their measurement and in addition partly because of 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, however keep your distance - despite their size they'll move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Generally they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed while 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 not in any instant danger. stuffed elephant toy Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may in the future see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading skilled 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 several seasons.
