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 in all our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere 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 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are usually 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 extremely social animals and type massive teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their weight loss program, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and can 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 ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be found across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across 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 actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless considerations over the long run of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their foremost predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to attack and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals because of various reasons, partly because of their measurement and also 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 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their measurement they will transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Generally they are not afraid of man, however 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. Regardless of once being on the endangered listing, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, stuffed elephant toy the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any immediate hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, 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 final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one expert on Elephant seals and their behaviour. Dr. Mikolaj is a native of Poland, and was base commander of the Polish base on the Antarctic Peninsula for a number of seasons.
