10 info about elephant seals chimu adventures weblog

Elephant seals in Antarctica are a improbable sight to behold on any journey to Antarctica and one of many region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. One in all our favourite species is the Elephant Seal, listed 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 round 7 – 800 kg. An adult male Elephant seal can weigh up to five tonnes and measure as much as six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Inside three months they'll weigh 150kg! Pups are usually 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 extremely social animals and type large teams or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are amongst the biggest carnivores on the earth consuming squid and fish as the primary sources of food in their food plan, and have been measured diving as much as 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 can be found throughout the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They have been hunted for their blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 – three % of male Elephant seals actually breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to light the city a yr. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless concerns over the long run of those animals. However, 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 main predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their vary.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They're referred to as elephant seals as a result of a variety of reasons, partly because of their size and also partly because of 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 size they will move quick on land, and are extremely aggressive when defending their territory and young. Generally they aren't afraid of man, nonetheless 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 once being on the endangered stuffed elephants record, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is no longer in any immediate danger. Because of Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this collectively. However, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities might in the future 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 expert 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 a number of seasons.