Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One among our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere 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 adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and type giant groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the primary sources of food of their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still issues over the longer term of those animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which dwell mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their primary predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray young. They are referred to as elephant seals because of plenty of reasons, partly because of their measurement and in addition 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 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, but keep your distance - despite their dimension they'll transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a different proposition. Keep clear as per most stuffed animal wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered record, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any speedy danger. 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 issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our final 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.
