10 Facts About Elephant Seals - Chimu Adventures Weblog

Elephant seals in Antarctica are a unbelievable sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most unique and recognisable species. One of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some enjoyable info about these magnificent creatures and the environment 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 adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within 3 months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are usually born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation interval for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are extremely social animals and type large groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the most important carnivores on the planet consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of meals of their weight loss plan, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and might 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 instances the burden 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 were hunted for their blubber through the sealing days. Solely 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild the town a yr. 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. Nonetheless, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated population of 150,000 which stay mainly across the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern baby elephant stuffed animals California, USA. Their most important predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their range.. Massive sharks. Leopard seals have also been identified to attack and kill stray younger. They're called elephant seals resulting from plenty of causes, partly because of their dimension and also partly due to the male snout or trunk that inflates to impress and intimidate rivals when competing with other males for his harem. The depth and volume of the sound is a demonstration to others how powerful 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, however keep your distance - despite their measurement they will transfer quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and younger. Usually they aren't afraid of man, however if disturbed while resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a distinct proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter on your cruise. Despite as soon as being on the endangered checklist, because of the safety of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is not in any fast hazard. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nonetheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human actions could sooner or later 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 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.