Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in all our favourite 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 alternative 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'll weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form large groups or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the main sources of food in their food plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males may be up to ten times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be found throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still considerations over the longer term of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which reside mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to assault and kill stray younger. They are referred to as elephant seals because of numerous causes, partly due to their measurement and also partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with different males for his harem. The depth and quantity 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 - regardless of their measurement they stuffed animal can move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Generally they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered checklist, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any instant danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might 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 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.
