Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. Considered one of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed below are some fun details about these magnificent creatures and the setting they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many various 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 as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they may 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 groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on this planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their eating regimen, and have been measured diving as much as as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily distinction between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered across the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are still issues over the long run of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their main predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their vary.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to assault and kill stray younger. They are called elephant seals because of a variety of causes, partly due to their dimension and likewise partly because of the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when stuffed elephant toy competing with different 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - despite their size they can move fast on land, and are highly aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they are not afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered checklist, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any quick hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could in the future 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 expert 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.