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. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun info 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 round 7 - 800 kg. An grownup 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 may weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 massive groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the main stuffed elephants sources of food in their food plan, 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 physical difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to 10 occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber during the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still considerations over the future of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which live primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their foremost predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals attributable to a lot of causes, partly because of their size and also partly because of 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, but keep your distance - despite their measurement they'll move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Typically they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered list, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any rapid danger. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may 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 local of Poland, and was base commander of the Polish base on the Antarctic Peninsula for a number of seasons.
