Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of food in their diet, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are nonetheless considerations over the long run of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of stuffed elephants Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals as a consequence of plenty of causes, partly due to their 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 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 - regardless of their measurement they will transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Generally they don't seem to be afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas 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 record, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any rapid danger. Because of 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 number one knowledgeable 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.
