Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable facts about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere 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 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 around 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form large teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores in the world consuming squid and fish as the main sources of food of their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving up to 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 10 occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless considerations over the future of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray young. They're called elephant seals resulting from numerous reasons, partly due to their size and in addition partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with other males for his stuffed elephants 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, however keep your distance - regardless of their dimension they will transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special 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 not in any rapid hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might 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 several seasons.
