10 Facts About Elephant Seals - Chimu Adventures Weblog

Elephant seals in Antarctica are a incredible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of many region’s most unique and recognisable species. One in all our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, listed here are some fun facts about these magnificent creatures and the environment they inhabit. An Antarctic cruise is an icy safari, with many alternative species of animals to observe. Females are smaller and weigh around 7 - 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal babies when born weigh round 50 kilograms. Inside three months they may weigh 150kg! Pups are typically 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 type massive teams or harems for a month through the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their diet, and have been measured diving up to as much as 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a physical difference between the male and female of a species. Males could also be up to ten occasions the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals will be discovered throughout the Antarctic area, however are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for their blubber throughout the sealing days. Only 2 - three % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a 12 months. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless issues over the longer term of those animals. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are actually an estimated population of 150,000 which reside mainly 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 part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have also been known to attack and kill stray young. They're known as elephant seals as a consequence of quite a few causes, partly because of their dimension and also partly because of 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, however keep your distance - regardless of their measurement they can transfer quick 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 are often a special proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered record, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any quick danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for serving to put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities baby elephant stuffed animals 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 leading knowledgeable 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.