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. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings 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 grownup 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 3 months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and type massive groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and stuffed animal feminine of a species. Males could also be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless issues over the longer term of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to assault and kill stray younger. They are referred to as elephant seals attributable to a number of reasons, partly due to their measurement 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 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 measurement they'll transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Generally they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered list, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any immediate hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities 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 skilled 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.
