Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in all our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable info about these magnificent creatures and the environment 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation interval for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and type massive groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals of their food plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. white elephant stuffed animals 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 diversity, so there are nonetheless issues over the future of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to attack and kill stray younger. They're called elephant seals due to numerous causes, partly due to their dimension 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, however keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they'll move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Generally they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered record, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any quick danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may 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 local of Poland, and was base commander of the Polish base on the Antarctic Peninsula for several seasons.
