Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. One of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun details about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings 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 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. Inside 3 months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form massive groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the principle sources of meals in their weight loss program, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be found across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless considerations over the long run of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray young. They're called elephant seals because of numerous causes, partly due to their size 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 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'll move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Generally they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered record, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any immediate danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. However, 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 final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading knowledgeable on Elephant seals and their behaviour. Dr. Mikolaj stuffed elephants is a local of Poland, and was base commander of the Polish base on the Antarctic Peninsula for a number of seasons.
