10 information about elephant seals chimu adventures blog

Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any trip 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 below are some enjoyable facts 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 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. Within three months they are going to 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 extremely social animals and form massive teams or harems for a month in the course of the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the largest carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the principle sources of meals of their food regimen, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and can hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and female of a species. Males may be up to 10 occasions the weight of reproductive females. Elephant seals might be discovered across the Antarctic area, but are most prevalent around the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They were hunted for their blubber throughout the sealing days. Solely 2 – 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic variety, so there are still considerations over the long run of those animals. Nevertheless, from a small group of animals left, there at the moment are an estimated population of 150,000 which stay primarily across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their primary predator is the Orca, and in the northern most a part of their vary.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been identified to assault and kill stray young. They're called elephant seals as a result of numerous causes, partly due to their dimension and likewise 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 volume 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, but keep your distance – despite their measurement they can move fast on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and young. Usually they are not afraid of man, nevertheless if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a different proposition. Keep clear as per most stuffed animal wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Despite once being on the endangered checklist, as a result of safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any quick hazard. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities may sooner or later 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 professional 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.