Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on http://just6fstorebe8.yousher.com/10-information-about-elephant-seals-chimu-adventures-weblog any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in every of our favourite 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 round 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 around 50 kilograms. Within three months they'll 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 kind large groups or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food in their weight loss program, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Solely 2 - three % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless considerations over the long run of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which live primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and within 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 as a result of a number of reasons, partly because of their dimension 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 quantity of the sound is a demonstration to others how highly effective he is, 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, but keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they can transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Generally they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered checklist, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any quick danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could 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 skilled 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 several seasons.
