Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable facts 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 up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 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 teams or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of food of their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and might 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 instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless issues over the long run of those animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which stay mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their important predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals due to quite a lot of causes, partly due to their dimension and also 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 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 stuffed animal seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - despite their size they can transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Generally they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered list, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any quick hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might in the future see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading 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.
