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Seals and sea lions are one of the few groups of marine mammals that live in the Antarctic. There are 2 natural groups of seals, true (earless) seals and fur seals which have small flaps over their ears, and are related to sea-lions. Six different species of seal live in Antarctic waters: Ross, Weddell, crabeater, leopard, fur and elephant seals.
- Weddell Seal. Without doubt one of the cutest looking seals in Antarctica, Wedell seals tend to stay in groups on inland fast ice during the Antarctic summer months.
- Southern Elephant Seals. Southern elephant seals are the largest seals on earth and the males can reach weights of up to 4,000 kg (8,800lb). Whilst they are big and lumbering on land, Elephant seals are incredibly good swimmers and often dive down in excess of 2 km!
- Antarctic Fur Seal. The smallest seals in Antarctica, the Southern fur seal is actually closely related to dogs and sea lions. Like both creatures, fur seals have long whiskers, sharp teeth and a similar thick fur coat.
- Leopard Seal. Easily identified with its long slender body, pretty markings and large fore-flippers, the Leopard seal is one of Antarctica’s best predators.
Signed on 1 June 1972 and entered into force in 1978, CCAS provided protection for all six Antarctic seal species in the waters south of 60 degrees South. CCAS proved successful in allowing seal populations to recover and thrive after decades of commercial exploitation in the Antarctic. View More.
Nov 24, 2023 · The Saimaa ringed seal is a small-sized seal with a coat that varies in color, ranging from grayish-brown to dark gray, adorned with light spots or rings on its back. Adults typically measure about 2.8-5.2 feet (85-160 cm) in length and weigh around 110-200 lbs (50-90 kg).
Diet and Nutrition. Antarctic fur seals are carnivores (piscivores), they mainly eat fish, krill, crustaceans, and cephalopods like squid and octopodes. In the South Georgia Islands, the mackerel icefish is the main prey. They may also prey on some smaller penguins. Diet Carnivore, Piscivores.
Mar 4, 2016 · Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) The Leopard Seal is the second-largest Antarctic seal. It grows up to 3.5 m (11.5 ft.), with females being larger than males. A true Antarctic seal, the Leopard seal is found in the waters and pack ice that surrounds Antarctica. The Leopard Seal is slender and powerful.
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The second-largest of the Antarctic seals, leopard seals are solitary apex predators and formidable hunters. Capable of traveling at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (40 kilometers per hour), they are the only species of seal known to actively prey on both penguins and seal pups, including crabeater, Weddell, Ross, southern elephant and Antarctic fur seals.