Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favorite 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 alternative species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh around 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 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 period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind large teams or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their weight loss program, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be found across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly 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 range, so there stuffed elephant for baby are still considerations over the future of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals resulting from plenty of causes, partly because of their dimension and likewise partly due to the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with different 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they'll move fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered checklist, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any instant hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities 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 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 a number of seasons.