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. One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some enjoyable 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 round 7 - 800 kg. An grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and type giant teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores in the world consuming squid and stuffed elephant toy fish as the primary sources of food in their food regimen, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to ten times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent around 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 truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still issues over the long run of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which live primarily across 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 vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to assault and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals attributable to various causes, partly due to their size and also partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with other males for his harem. The depth and volume 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - despite their dimension they'll transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Typically they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered record, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any quick danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, 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 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 several seasons.
