Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable facts about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they may 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 highly social animals and kind massive teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the principle sources of food in their food plan, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be found throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly 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 considerations over the longer term of those animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to attack and kill stray young. They are called elephant seals attributable to various causes, partly because of their stuffed animal elephant size and likewise 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they will transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered checklist, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any instant danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could in the future 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 leading expert 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.
