Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings 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 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and type large teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the primary sources of food of their weight loss program, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her 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 light 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 mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to assault and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals because of quite a lot of reasons, partly because of their measurement and likewise partly because of 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 baby elephant stuffed animals 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 - regardless of their measurement they will move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Typically they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered checklist, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any rapid danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could sooner or later 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 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.
