Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One among our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the environment they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 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 across the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and type giant teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores in the world consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their food plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber throughout 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 range, white elephant stuffed animals so there are nonetheless issues over the longer term of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their primary predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals as a result of 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 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their size they will move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Typically they are not afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered record, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any fast hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions 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 leading expert 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.
