Elephant seals stuffed animal in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some enjoyable information about these magnificent creatures and the environment 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 up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are usually 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 type massive teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of food in their food plan, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to 10 instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber throughout the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to gentle the city a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless issues over the future of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell mainly across 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 vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to attack and kill stray younger. They're called elephant seals as a consequence of quite a lot of reasons, partly due to their size and also 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 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, but keep your distance - despite their measurement they'll move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Typically they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a different proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered checklist, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any quick hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could sooner or later 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 leading knowledgeable 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.
