Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable details about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside three months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 large teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food in their weight-reduction 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 bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to 10 times the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still considerations over the future of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They are known as elephant seals as a result of numerous reasons, partly because of their size 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 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 elephant stuffed animal is produced. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their size they will transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Typically they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered listing, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any rapid danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nevertheless, 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 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.
