10 Information About Elephant Seals - Chimu Adventures Weblog

1. Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere 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 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they may 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 feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and form large groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the principle sources of food in their food regimen, and have been measured diving up to up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to ten occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be found across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack stuffed elephants genetic variety, so there are nonetheless issues over the longer term of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their most important predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been known to assault and kill stray younger. They are referred to as elephant seals on account of a lot of reasons, partly because of their measurement 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 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 transfer fast on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Usually they don't seem to be afraid of man, nevertheless 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. Despite once being on the endangered list, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any immediate hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might 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 leading professional 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.