Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in all our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun details 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 around 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 babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside three months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and kind large groups or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their food regimen, 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 ten occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a 12 months. These animals have grown stuffed elephant toy from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still concerns over the long run of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to assault and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals on account of quite a few causes, partly due to their dimension 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 powerful 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 dimension they'll move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and young. Generally they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered checklist, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any instant danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could 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.
