Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable information 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 grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 kind giant teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their diet, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless issues 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 live mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the elephant stuffed animal shores of Southern California, USA. Their primary predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray young. They are known as elephant seals as a result of quite a few reasons, partly due to their size and in addition partly because of 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, however keep your distance - despite their size they'll move fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they are not afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered list, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any fast danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, 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 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 several seasons.
