Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable information 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 around 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 infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their stuffed elephants 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 kind giant teams or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of food of their food plan, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their 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 mild the city a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless issues over the future of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which live mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their foremost predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray young. They are known as elephant seals because of numerous causes, 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 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, but keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they can transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Typically they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered record, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any fast hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could 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 number one knowledgeable 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.
