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 in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun info about these magnificent creatures and the environment they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh http://j6fhomeck3.fotosdefrases.com/10-details-about-elephant-seals-chimu-adventures-weblog 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. Within three months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind massive groups or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the primary sources of meals in their food regimen, 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 female of a species. Males could also be up to 10 times the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her blubber throughout the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still considerations over the long run of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually 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 within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray young. They're known as elephant seals due to plenty of reasons, partly due to their size and also 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 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, but keep your distance - despite their size they can transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered list, 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 serving to put this collectively. Nevertheless, 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 final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading skilled 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 several seasons.
