Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in all our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable info about these magnificent creatures and the environment they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many alternative 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are generally 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 extremely social animals and kind giant teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the most important carnivores in the world eating squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their weight loss program, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be found across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes stuffed elephant for baby of elephant seal oil to mild the town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still considerations over the longer term of those animals. Nonetheless, 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 most important predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to attack and kill stray young. They're known as elephant seals resulting from a lot of reasons, partly because of their measurement and likewise 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 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - despite their dimension they will transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Usually they don't seem to be afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered listing, due to the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any instant danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could 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 leading expert 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.
