Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of stuffed elephant toy the region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one 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 different 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. Within three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 highly social animals and type massive teams or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be found throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really 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 range, so there are nonetheless concerns over the long run of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which stay primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals as a consequence of plenty of causes, 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 other males for his harem. The depth and quantity of the sound is a demonstration to others how powerful 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 size they can move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered list, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any quick hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could sooner or later 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 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.
