Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the environment they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh around 7 - 800 kg. An grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 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 the earth eating squid and fish as the principle sources of food in their weight loss program, and have been measured diving as much as 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 ten instances the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still concerns over the future of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside 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 part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to attack and kill stray young. They're known as elephant seals as a consequence of a lot of reasons, partly because of their measurement and also partly due to the male snout or stuffed elephant for baby 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their size they'll transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they are not 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 in your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered listing, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any immediate danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. 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 leading 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 several seasons.
