Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside 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 around the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and type large groups or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores in the world consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals in their eating regimen, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and may 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 ten times the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her blubber throughout the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still considerations over the stuffed elephant for baby long run of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals attributable to quite a few causes, partly due to their measurement 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 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, however keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they'll transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Typically they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless 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 list, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any quick hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may 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 expert 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.
