Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in all our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various 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 babies 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 around the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form massive teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to ten occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be found throughout the Antarctic area, 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 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless considerations over the long run of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals attributable to numerous causes, partly because of their dimension and likewise partly because of the male snout or trunk elephant stuffed animal 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 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 - regardless of their measurement they'll move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Typically they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered listing, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any fast danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could in the future see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading knowledgeable 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 several seasons.
