Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable details about these magnificent creatures and the environment 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 up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation interval for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and type giant teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to 10 times the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be found throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless concerns over the future of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their main predator is the Orca, baby elephant stuffed animals and in the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray young. They're known as elephant seals because of a number of causes, partly due to their size and also partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with other 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 - despite their dimension they will transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Typically they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered record, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any speedy danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might 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 expert 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.
