Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable info 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 round 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 massive groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be found throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless considerations over the long run of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to assault and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals due to quite a lot of reasons, partly because of their size and also partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with different males for his harem. The depth stuffed elephant for baby and volume of the sound is a demonstration to others how powerful 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. Benefit from 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 defending their territory and younger. Generally they don't seem to be afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered listing, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any instant hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may 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 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.
