10 Facts About Elephant Seals - Chimu Adventures Weblog

Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun information about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 extremely social animals and kind massive groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the earth eating squid and fish as the principle sources of food 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 10 instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes 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 range, so there are still concerns over the future of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their fundamental predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to attack and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals because of plenty of reasons, partly due to their measurement 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 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. Enjoy the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - regardless of their dimension they will move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they aren't 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. Regardless of once being on the endangered record, because of the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer baby elephant stuffed animals in any quick hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could sooner or later see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one 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.