Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any journey 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 details 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 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 babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside 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 interval for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind massive teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber throughout the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still issues over the long run of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals due to quite a few causes, partly because of their size and also 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 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their measurement they will transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you elephant stuffed animal encounter in your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered list, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any immediate danger. Due 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 number one skilled 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 a number of seasons.
