Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. One among our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun details 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 grownup 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 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form giant teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on the earth eating squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their eating regimen, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be found across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town a 12 months. These animals have grown from stuffed elephants a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless concerns over the long run of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their principal predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals resulting from quite a few causes, partly because of their measurement and also 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'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 dimension they will transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Typically they don't seem to be afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered checklist, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any rapid hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, 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 last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one expert 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.
