10 Facts About Elephant Seals - Chimu Adventures Blog

1. Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in all our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun information about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings 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 infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and type large groups or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of food of their weight-reduction plan, 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 ten times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless issues over the longer term of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, stuffed elephant for baby there at the moment are an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which stay primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their main predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They're called elephant seals on account of numerous reasons, partly due to their measurement and in addition partly due to the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with different 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 size they can transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they are not afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of once being on the endangered checklist, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any speedy danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might sooner or later see some issues with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one knowledgeable 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.