Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable details about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many alternative species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 extremely social animals and form large groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found throughout the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city 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 those animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which live primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico https://just6f.com/plush-stuffed-animals/ and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their main predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to attack and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals as a consequence of quite a lot of reasons, partly because of their size 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 volume 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 - regardless of their size they'll transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Typically they don't seem to be afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered list, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any speedy danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could in the future see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one knowledgeable 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.
