Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Considered one of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun 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 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches around the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind massive teams or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the largest carnivores in the world consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of meals in their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 occasions the burden of reproductive females. Elephant seals can be found throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around 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 truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, white elephant stuffed animals so there are nonetheless issues over the future of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which live mainly around 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 also been recognized to attack and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals as a result of numerous causes, partly because of their dimension and in addition partly due to the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with other males for his harem. The depth and quantity of the sound is a demonstration to others how powerful 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 - despite their dimension they will move quick on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered record, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any quick danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions may in the future see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our final PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a number one skilled 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.