Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable facts about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different 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 up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are usually http://j6fgargenal0.timeforchangecounselling.com/10-information-about-elephant-seals-chimu-adventures-blog 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 highly social animals and form massive teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their food 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 physical distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to 10 times the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless concerns over the longer term of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay mainly 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 a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray young. They are called elephant seals as a consequence of a lot of reasons, partly due to their dimension and likewise partly due to 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 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 - regardless of their dimension they can move fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Generally they don't seem to be 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 on your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered list, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any instant danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, 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 professional 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.
