Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One among our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they may 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 female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form massive groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of food of their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and can elephant stuffed animal hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be found across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really 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 range, so there are still concerns over the longer term of those animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which reside mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their most important predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray young. They're called elephant seals attributable to a number of reasons, 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 different males for his harem. The depth and quantity of the sound is a demonstration to others how highly effective 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - regardless of their size they will move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Typically 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, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any speedy danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might sooner or later see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one 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.
