Weddell Seals
Weddell seals are earless seals that live under the permanent ice that surrounds the Antarctic coast. There they are fairly safe from predators such as killer whales and leopard seals.
Weddell Seal
The Weddell seal is a large marine mammal that lives in waters and on fast ice (ice anchored to land). It is a (related to the and ) that does not migrate.
Weddell Seal
Leptonychotes weddellii
The Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) is circumpolar in distribution and is most abundant near the coast of Antarctica itself. It is the southern-most breeding seal in the world.
Weddell seals, Leptonychotes weddellii (Lesson, 1826), are known for their loud underwater calls that can be heard on top of the ice! The species is named after Captain James Weddell who first spotted the seal documenting it in the 1820s.
Weddell seals can dive up to 2,000 feet (610 meters) down and stay under for up to 45 minutes. But no matter how deep they dive, like all marine mammals, they must surface to breathe.
Weddell seals were named after a British sea commander in the 1800s, Sir James Weddell who also has a sea in the Antarctic named after him.
Weddell seals are named for Captain James Weddell, an explorer in the 1820's whose book described and illustrated Weddell seals.
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Weddell seals often dive to depths of 300-400 m (984-1312 ft.), and may dive to depths of 600 m (1968 ft.).
Weddell Seals in Antarctica
A team of scientists, including some from the National Zoo, are going to Antarctica to conduct a study on Weddell seal lactation.
WEDDELL SEAL
The Weddell seal is a large, nocturnal pinniped from Antarctica.
WOLVERINE
The Wolverine is a ferocious type of weasel that lives in cold areas.
These animals are capable of diving to extreme depths (600 m in the case of Weddell seals) and remaining under water for astonishing periods (over an hour, although most dives are much shorter).
The other three species are the Weddell seal, Ross seal and Crabeater seal. There are 32 members of the Order Pinnipedia (fin-footed) in the world, 18 of which are true seals.
Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii)
Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga)
Bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus)
Hooded seal (Cystophora cristata)
Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) ...
Its distinctive nose, which resembles an elephant's trunk, inflates when roaring to ward off male rivals during breeding season. The weddell seal uses its long upper incisor teeth to bite holes in sheets of ice to create breathing holes after its ...
This enables them to dive at extreme depths (600 meters for the Weddell Seal). They can remain underwater for long periods of time, sometimes over an hour or more, but most dives are usually short.
The taste is said to be similar to cod, which led to the common name Antarctic Cod. Other than man, their primary enemies are the Weddell seal, the leopard seal, and Orca.
Penguins, seals and some meager stores from the ship were their only food. There were Chinstrap Penguins, Sheathbills, Fur Seal, Weddell Seals, White Morph Giant Petrel, Shags at the site.
 See also: Leopard, Elephant, Sea Lion, Elephant Seal, Fur Seal
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