Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun information 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 grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form massive teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of food in their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism stuffed elephants is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to 10 instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Solely 2 – 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a 12 months. 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 these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell primarily 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 part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to assault and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals because of quite a lot of causes, partly because of their dimension and also partly because of 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 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 dimension they'll move fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Generally they are not afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered listing, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any rapid danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might in the future 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 several seasons.
