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. One of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable details 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 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 around 50 kilograms. Within three months they will 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 form large groups or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals of their weight loss program, 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 difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be discovered across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her blubber throughout the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle town a 12 months. 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. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants 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 part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to attack and kill stray young. They're known as elephant seals resulting from quite a lot of reasons, partly because of their size 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 volume of the sound is a demonstration to others how powerful 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, but keep your distance - regardless of their size they can transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive stuffed elephant toy when defending their territory and younger. Usually they are not 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. Despite once being on the endangered checklist, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any speedy danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might 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 leading professional 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.
