10 facts about elephant seals chimu adventures blog

Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favorite 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 alternative 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 three months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation interval for a feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind giant teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical distinction between stuffed animal the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to 10 occasions the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found throughout the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber throughout 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 genetic range, so there are still issues over the long run of these animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which dwell mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their major predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to assault and kill stray young. They are known as elephant seals resulting from a number of reasons, partly because of their measurement and also 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 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 size they will move fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered checklist, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any immediate hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. 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 professional 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.