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 every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun details about these magnificent creatures and the environment 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside three 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 highly social animals and type large teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the primary sources of food of their food plan, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. stuffed animal Males could also be up to ten times the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be found throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber in the course of 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 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still considerations over the future of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their most important predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to assault and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals as a consequence of a number of causes, 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 other 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, however keep your distance - despite their measurement they'll move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Generally they are not afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered record, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any immediate hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might 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 number one knowledgeable 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.
