Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight stuffed elephant toy to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One among our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun information about these magnificent creatures and the environment they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh around 7 - 800 kg. An adult 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 three months they may 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 feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form massive groups or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of food in their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber throughout the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still considerations over the long run of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to assault and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals as a result of quite a few 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'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 dimension they'll transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special 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 rapid hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities may sooner or later see some issues 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.
