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Weddell Seal
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Suborder:	Pinnipedia
Family:	Phocidae
Genus:	Leptonychotes Gill, 1872
Species:	L. weddellii
Binomial name
Leptonychotes weddellii (Lesson, 1826)
Weddell seal range   Water   Range   Ice

The Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes weddellii), is a true seal that occurs in large numbers and inhabits the circumpolar region of the southern hemisphere, including Antarctica. It is estimated that there are approximately 800,000 individuals today. These seals are said to live further south than any other animal. This pinniped is not thought to migrate, and any local movements are usually the result of changes in ice conditions.

The Weddell seal was named and discovered by a British sealing captain,James Weddell in the 1820s when he was on a sailing expedition within the Weddell Sea, also named after James Weddell. . It is the only species in the genus Leptonychotes.

Appearance

A Weddell seal can grow 3 meters long and weigh between 400-600 kg. Although female Weddell seals can be slightly larger, both male and female are generally about the same size. . However, the male seals have a thicker neck, and a broader head and muzzle than the females. Weddell seals have a smiling appearance because of their up turned mouth. Their face can be compared to a cat due to their short mouth line, and similarities with their nose and whiskers. .

The Weddell seal grows a thin fur coat around their whole body except for small areas around their flippers, the colour and pattern of this coat varies. As the fur ages, it often fades to a duller colour. . This coat moults around the beginning of summer. . Adults are brown, lighter ventrally, and mottled with large darker and lighter patches, those on the belly being silvery white. Adult males usually bear scars, most of them around the genital region. Young Weddell Seals have a gray pelage for the first 3 to 4 weeks; later they turn a darker color. The pups reach maturity at 3 years of age. The pups are born at around half the length of their mother, and weigh 25 to 30 kg (55 to 66 lb). They gain around 2 kg (4.4 lb) a day, and by 6–7 weeks old they can weigh around 100 kg (220 lb). .

Breeding

Depending on the latitude it inhabits, this marine mammal gives birth from early September through November, with those living at lower latitudes giving birth earlier. During the mating season the Weddell seals make noises that are loud enough to be felt through the ice.. Copulation has only been observed to occur underwater, where the female is often bitten on the neck by her partner. The seals are normally around 6-8yrs old when they first breed (but this can be much earlier for some females). . The Weddell seal is one of the only breeds of seals that can give birth to twin pups. . Birth of the pup only takes around 1–4 minutes. The pups take their first swim at around 1–2 weeks old. They can hold their breath for five minutes enabling them to be able to dive to lengths of 100 m (330 ft). After 6–7 weeks they are weaned off their mother and can basically take care of themselves. .

Food

Weddell seals eat an array of fish, krill, squid, bottom-feeding prawns, cephalopods, crustaceans and sometimes penguins. . A sedentary adult will need to eat around 10 kg (22 lb) a day, while an active adult will eat over 50 kg (110 lb) a day.

Behaviour

Weddell seals gather in small groups around cracks and holes in the ice. This animal can also be found in large groups on ice attached to the continent and can be easily approached by humans. In the winter months they stay in the water to avoid blizzards, with only their heads poking through breathing holes in the ice. . They are very docile and placid animals..

Natural predators

Weddell seals have no natural predators as they live on fast ice. If they are caught on pack ice they become prey for leopard seals and killer whales, this can often happen to pups and sub adults out exploring. . The Weddell Seal is protected by the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals.

Expert Divers

The Weddell Seal is known for its very deep dives, which may reach some 700 m (2,300 ft). It can also stay underwater for approximately 80 minutes. Such deep dives involve foraging sessions, as well as searching for cracks in the ice sheets that can lead to new breathing holes. The seal can remain submerged for such long periods of time because of high concentrations of myoglobin in their muscles.

Lifespan

The Weddell Seal has a shorter lifespan than most other pinnipeds. On average, the Weddell Seal lives for 20 years, compared to an average life expectancy of 40 years for most other seals. This is because the Weddell seals lives under the Antarctic sea ice in the winter adjacent to continental Antarctica where it must constantly maintain breathing holes by scraping the ice with its teeth. This has the effect of wearing down its teeth over time. Once a Weddell Seal's teeth have worn down to a certain level, the seal is unable to eat and eventually starves to death.

Habitat

The Weddell Seal lives farther south than any other mammal, inhabiting the waters of McMurdo Sound, 1,300 km (810 mi) from the South Pole.

References

1. ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
2. Template:IUCN2008
3. ^ Todd, B. (2002). Seals and sea lions. New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd
4. Kindersley, Dorling (2001,2005). Animal. New York City: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7894-7764-5. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
5. Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
6. ^ Shirihai, H. & Jarrett, B. (2006). Whales, dolphins and seals: A field to the marine mammals of the world. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd
7. Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
8. Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
9. Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
10. Riedman, M. (1990). The pinnipeds: Seals, sea lions, walruses. Berkeley: University of California Press
11. Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
12. Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
13. Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
14. Zapol WM, Hill RD, Qvist J, Falke K, Schneider RC, Liggins GC, Hochachka PW (1989). "Arterial gas tensions and hemoglobin concentrations of the freely diving Weddell seal". Undersea Biomed Res. 16 (5): 363–73. PMID 2800051. Retrieved 2008-07-22. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

• OBIS-SEAMAP
• ADW: Leptonychotes weddellii
• Adaptions of Diving Mammals
• Audio recording from Macaulay Library at Cornell Lab of Ornithology
• Zapol, W. M. (1987). "Diving Adaptations of the Weddell Seal". Scientific American. 256 (6): 100–105.

wikipedia

• IUCN Red List least concern species
• True seals
• Mammals of South Australia
• Mammals of Chile
• Megafauna