Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun facts 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 five tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and kind massive groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the earth eating squid and fish as the principle sources of meals in their food regimen, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for his or her blubber throughout a.8b.com/ the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still issues over the longer term of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their essential predator is the Orca, and in the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray young. They're called elephant seals due to a variety of reasons, partly due to their size and in addition partly because of 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - despite their measurement they will move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Typically they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas 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, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any fast hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might 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 number one skilled 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.
