Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 grownup 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 3 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 period for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form massive teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores in the world consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals of their eating regimen, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber in the course of the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still issues over the future of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their foremost predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to attack and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals due to quite a lot of causes, partly because of their dimension and also partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with white elephant stuffed animals different males for his harem. The depth and volume 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, but keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they can transfer fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Typically they are not 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 once being on the endangered record, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any fast hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may in the future 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 professional 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.
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