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. One in every of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun information about these magnificent creatures and the surroundings they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many different 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 babies when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside three months they will 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 form large groups or harems for a month during the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the main sources of food of their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and may 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 ten times the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be found across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for his or her blubber in the course of the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic range, so there are still considerations over the future of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated inhabitants of white elephant stuffed animals 150,000 which stay primarily around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their predominant predator is the Orca, and within the northern most a part of their range.. Giant sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals as a result of numerous causes, partly because of their measurement and in addition 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 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 - regardless of their measurement they'll move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and young. Generally they don't seem to be afraid of man, nonetheless if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they are often a unique 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 not in any immediate danger. Thanks to 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 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 a number of seasons.