Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One among our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable details 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 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. Inside three months they may 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 type massive groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of meals in their food plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals will 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 through the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still issues over the long run of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which live mainly 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 vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray young. They're called elephant seals resulting from a stuffed elephants variety of reasons, partly due to their measurement and likewise 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 quantity 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 is produced. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their size they will transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered list, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any immediate hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities may sooner or later see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one professional on Elephant seals and their behaviour. Dr. Mikolaj is a native of Poland, and was base commander of the Polish base on the Antarctic Peninsula for a number of seasons.
