10 info about elephant seals chimu adventures weblog

Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun facts 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 grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Within three 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 feminine Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and form giant groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores on this planet eating squid and fish as the principle sources of meals of their weight-reduction plan, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be discovered throughout the Antarctic region, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 – 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless issues over the long run of these animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which stay primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been recognized to assault and kill stray young. They are stuffed elephant toy referred to as elephant seals because of numerous causes, partly due to their size and likewise 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'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, but keep your distance – regardless of their measurement they can move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they don't seem to be afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a unique 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 now not in any speedy danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions might in the future 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 number one skilled 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.