Elephant seals in Antarctica are a fantastic sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. stuffed elephant for baby One in every of our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the atmosphere they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many alternative species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh round 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside 3 months they are going to weigh 150kg! Pups are generally born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind giant groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the principle sources of food of their weight loss program, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and might hold breath for up to two hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 times the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals could be found throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals really breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are nonetheless concerns over the future of these animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which live mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their principal predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to assault and kill stray young. They're referred to as elephant seals resulting from a variety of reasons, partly due to 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 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 will move fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when protecting their territory and younger. Typically they aren't afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered listing, as a result of protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any rapid hazard. Thanks to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could sooner or later see some points with their native habitat. Dr. Miko was a lecturer on-board our last PinkTarctica Antarctic expedition to the Peninsula and is a leading knowledgeable 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 several seasons.