Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they will 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 female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and type large teams 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 as much as as much as 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 could also be up to ten times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be discovered across the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the town a 12 months. 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. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which live primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their main predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to assault and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals as a result of a lot of reasons, partly because of their measurement and also partly due to 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 powerful he is, 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 - regardless of their dimension they will transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and stuffed elephants young. Typically they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered checklist, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any instant danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might sooner or later 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 knowledgeable 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 a number of seasons.
