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The Seals of AntarcticaDifferent Seal Species One May See on a Visit to the White Continent
Antarctic & Sub-Antarctic Fur Seals, Southern Elephant Seals, Crabeater Seals, Leopard Seals, Weddell Seals, & Ross Seals. What are they like, and where are they found?
The traveller to Antarctica is likely to encounter a wide variety of seals. One usually sees them while on an expedition in a zodiac – the sturdy inflatable boats used to go ashore and view wildlife on the White Continent. However, seals may be seen during visits onshore as well. There are quite a variety of them, and they provide many interesting photo opportunities. Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Fur Seals ( Arctocephalus gazella and Arctocephalus tropicalis) These are found on most of the southern islands, sometimes in large numbers. The Antarctic fur seal is slightly larger than its sub-Antarctic relative. Females are grey to brownish with creamy throats and chests, while males are buff to black with cream to orange throats and chests. After being hunted for their coats in the 19th century, fur seals are now showing a remarkable recovery. Southern Elephant Seal ( Mirounga leonina) This is the world’s largest seal. Males can weigh up to 3.5 tonnes and reach 5 metres in length, with females weighting around 900 kg and being 3 metres long. They occur on most of the southern islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Elephant seals were heavily exploited for their oil in the 19th century, and unfortunately their numbers are still decreasing. Crabeater Seal (Lobodon carcinophagus) These are slim seals, reaching 3 metres in length. Their name is a misnomer, for they eat krill, not crabs. They are found everywhere in the area, but prefer pack ice to open sea. Crabeaters are the world’s most abundant seal, possibly numbering as many as 30 million worldwide, and they appear to be under no immediate threat. Leopard Seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) These seals are found among the pack ice in summer and on the more southerly sub-Antarctic islands in winter. The females are larger, reaching 450 kg and 4 metres, while the males weigh up to 300 kg and are about 3 metres long. They are fearsome predators, having a diet which includes penguins and smaller seals. A very few attacks on humans have been documented, so caution is recommended! Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes weddelli) These are distinguishable by their great girth, being far less streamlined than Crabeater and Leopard seals. They reach 3 metres in length and weigh around 400 kg, with females being slightly larger than males. They are found all over Antarctica, living farther south than any other mammal…with the exception of polar explorers! They usually live on fast shelf ice, but have been sighted on pack ice too. They are the best-studied of the Antarctic seals. Ross Seal (Ommatophoca rossi) Named after its discoverer, James Clark Ross, leader of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1839-43, this is the least-often seen Antarctic seal species. It lives all over Antarctica, but only on heavy pack ice, so is difficult to study. Ross Seals have dark grey to chestnut backs with lighter undersides. They eat mainly squid and fish. Males reach 2 metres and 180 kg, with females being slightly larger. Happy seal viewing! Further ReadingLonely Planet Antarctica, Jeff Rubin, Lonely Planet Publications 2000 Antarctica: a Guide to the Wildlife, Tony Soper, Glove Pequot Press, 1994 Antarctica: the Blue Continent, David McGonigal & Lynn Woodworth, Five Mile Press 2002 For more on Antarctic wildlife, see
The copyright of the article The Seals of Antarctica in Cruise/Island Vacations is owned by Helen Krasner. Permission to republish The Seals of Antarctica in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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