Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One among our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the environment 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 around 50 kilograms. Inside three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation interval for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form massive groups or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores in the world stuffed elephants eating squid and fish as the principle sources of meals in their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be discovered across the Antarctic region, however 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 town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still considerations over the long run of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their foremost predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals because of numerous reasons, partly because of their size and in addition 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 volume of the sound is a demonstration to others how highly effective 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their dimension they will move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered checklist, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any rapid danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might sooner or later 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 number one professional 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 a number of seasons.
