Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One among our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable details about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 extremely social animals and form massive teams or harems for a month in the course of the stuffed elephant toy breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on this planet 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 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 may be found throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber throughout the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless issues over the long run of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which stay primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their principal predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to assault and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals on account of a variety of causes, partly due to their dimension and likewise partly because of the male snout or trunk 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 highly effective 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 dimension they'll move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Generally they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered list, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any immediate hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could sooner or later 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 skilled 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.
