Elephant seals in Antarctica are a implausible sight to behold on any trip to Antarctica and one of the region’s most distinctive and recognisable species. Certainly one stuffed animal elephant of our favorite species is the Elephant Seal, here are some fun info about these magnificent creatures and the setting 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 grownup male Elephant seal can weigh up to 5 tonnes and measure up to six and a half metres! Elephant seal infants when born weigh around 50 kilograms. Within three months they will weigh 150kg! Pups are typically born from September to October when their mothers come ashore at their berthing beaches across the continent. The gestation period for a female Elephant seal is 9 months. Elephant seals are highly social animals and kind large groups or harems for a month throughout the breeding season. Elephants seals are among the biggest carnivores on the planet eating squid and fish as the main sources of meals in their eating regimen, and have been measured diving as much as up to 2000m deep and may hold breath for up to 2 hours! Sexual dimorphism is a bodily difference between the male and feminine of a species. Males could also be up to ten instances the load of reproductive females. Elephant seals may be discovered across the Antarctic region, but are most prevalent across the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands. They had been hunted for his or her blubber during the sealing days. Only 2 - 3 % of male Elephant seals truly breed. London alone used 20,000 tonnes of elephant seal oil to mild town a year. These animals have grown from a small group of animals, and do lack genetic diversity, so there are nonetheless considerations over the long run of those animals. However, from a small group of animals left, there are now an estimated inhabitants of 150,000 which reside mainly around the Baja Gulf in Mexico and on the shores of Southern California, USA. Their important predator is the Orca, and within the northern most part of their range.. Large sharks. Leopard seals have additionally been recognized to attack and kill stray younger. They're known as elephant seals as a consequence of a variety of causes, partly due to their size and likewise 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 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. Benefit from the majestic Elephant seal on a cruise to Antarctica, but keep your distance - regardless of their dimension they'll transfer quick on land, and are highly aggressive when protecting their territory and young. Generally they are not afraid of man, however if disturbed whereas resting, reproducing or marking territory they can be a unique proposition. Keep clear as per most wildlife you encounter in your cruise. Regardless of as soon as being on the endangered record, due to the protection of the Antarctic treaty, the Southern Elephant seal is now not in any rapid danger. Due to Dr Mikolaj Golachowski for helping put this together. Nevertheless, over-fishing of Antarctic waters and human activities could 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 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.