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 in every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun details about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 adult 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. Inside three 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 feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form large groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the main sources of food of their weight-reduction plan, 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 distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless concerns over the long run of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which stay primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to attack and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals attributable to numerous causes, partly because of their measurement and in addition partly because of the male snout or white elephant stuffed animals 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 highly effective 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - despite their measurement they can transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Typically they are not afraid of man, nevertheless 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. Despite as soon as being on the endangered checklist, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any fast hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities may in the future see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one skilled 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.
