Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun details about these magnificent creatures and the environment they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form massive groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 occasions the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber through the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless concerns over the longer term of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their principal predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. 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 due to 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 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, but keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they can move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a distinct elephant stuffed animal proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered listing, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any immediate danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might in the future 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.
