Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the setting they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various 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 infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within three months they are going to 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 highly social animals and form massive teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals in their eating regimen, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless concerns over the longer term of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which reside primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray young. They are called elephant seals attributable to quite a lot of causes, partly because of their size and likewise 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 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. http://6fwallhouseda6.lucialpiazzale.com/10-info-about-elephant-seals-chimu-adventures-blog Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their dimension they'll move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they are not afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered record, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any immediate danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities may in the future 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 leading 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.
