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Weddell Seal

 
Animal Encyclopedia: Weddell seal
 
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Leptonychotes weddellii

SUBFAMILY

Monachinae

TAXONOMY

Leptonychotes weddellii (Lesson, 1826), South Orkney Island.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

None known.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Males: 8.0 ft (2.4 m); 748 lb (340 kg); Females: 8.3 ft (2.5 m); 836 lb (380 kg). Pelage of both sexes is usually black with grayish silver streaks. Pups are born with a grayish natal coat that has a darker stripe on top of the back.

DISTRIBUTION

Circumpolar around Antarctica.

HABITAT

Inhabits fast ice exclusively although individual animals may occasionally be seen on island beaches.

BEHAVIOR

Breed in colonies where both males and females spend time on the ice and in the water, although younger males are usually not tolerated on the ice with females. Females take their pups into the water within two weeks of birth. Males fight under water and give loud trilling vocalizations that may be advertisements to females or other males. There is not a routine migration from breeding sites. Seasonal movement usually follows the expansion and recession of the ice.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Data from dive recorders show that seals dive to depths of 1,150–1,480 ft (350–450 m) in the spring and early summer but to shallower depths 164–660 ft (50–200 m) in late summer, suggesting possible seasonal changes in diets. Their diet is broad, consisting of fish, cephalopods (squid and octopus), krill (Euphausa superba), and other invertebrates. Consistent with seasonal changes in dive profiles, one study found bottom and near bottom species in spring stomach samples collected and mid-water species in later summer.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Males are polygynous and defend positions in the water where there are traditional openings in the ice every year. These positions may be exclusive territories, but data are not sufficient to be conclusive. Mating occurs in the water. Males produce sperm about three to six years but do not become successful breeders until older. Females give birth for the first time from three to seven years of age. They give birth to a single pup annually. Lactation is about 58 days and females produce a milk averaging 48% fat.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not threatened, but are protected by the international Antarctic Treaty.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

These seals are of not particular value to humans.

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Wikipedia: Weddell Seal
 
Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Weddell Seal[1]

Conservation status
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
Weddell seal range

     Water      Range

     Ice
Weddell Seal, Neko Harbour, Antarctica
Weddell Seal puppy with its grey natal coat, Deception Island
Weddell seal

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. It can regularly be seen in the many seasonally ice-free islands along the Antarctic Peninsula. 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. [3]. It is the only species in the genus Leptonychotes.[1]

Contents

Appearance

A Weddell seal can grow 2.8 meters long and weigh between 400-600 kg.[4] Although female Weddell seals can be slightly larger, both male and female are generally about the same size. [5]. However, the male seals have a thicker neck, and a broader head and muzzle than the females[6]. 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. [7].

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. [8]. This coat moults around the beginning of summer. [9]. 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). [10].

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 can be felt through the ice, they are that strong.[11]. 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). [12]. The Weddell seal is one of the only breeds of seals that can give birth to twin pups. [13]. 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. [14].


Food

Weddell seals eat an array of fish, krill, squid, bottom-feeding prawns, cephalopods, crustaceans and sometimes penguins. [15]. 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. [16]


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. [17]. They are very docile and placid animals.[18].

Natural predators

Weddell seals have no natural predators as they live on fast ice. If they are caught on the slower moving pack ice they become prey for leopard seals and killer whales, this can often happen to pups and sub adults out exploring. [19]. 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.[20]


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. ^ a b Wozencraft, W. C. (16 November 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds). ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd edition ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14001044. 
  2. ^ Gelatt, T. & Southwell, C. (2008). Leptonychotes weddellii. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2008. Retrieved on 29 January 2009.
  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. 
  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. ^ Shirihai, H. & Jarrett, B. (2006). Whales, dolphins and seals: A field to the marine mammals of the world. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd
  8. ^ Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
  9. ^ Shirihai, H. & Jarrett, B. (2006). Whales, dolphins and seals: A field to the marine mammals of the world. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd
  10. ^ Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
  11. ^ Todd, B. (2002). Seals and sea lions. New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd
  12. ^ Shirihai, H. & Jarrett, B. (2006). Whales, dolphins and seals: A field to the marine mammals of the world. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd
  13. ^ Todd, B. (2002). Seals and sea lions. New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd
  14. ^ Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
  15. ^ Riedman, M. (1990). The pinnipeds: Seals, sea lions, walruses. Berkeley: University of California Press
  16. ^ Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
  17. ^ Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
  18. ^ Shirihai, H. & Jarrett, B. (2006). Whales, dolphins and seals: A field to the marine mammals of the world. London: A & C Black Publishers Ltd
  19. ^ Westerskov, K. (1997). Seals of the blizzard: The Weddell Seals of Antarctica. Australia: Omnibus Books
  20. ^ Zapol WM, Hill RD, Qvist J, Falke K, Schneider RC, Liggins GC, Hochachka PW (September 1989). "Arterial gas tensions and hemoglobin concentrations of the freely diving Weddell seal". Undersea Biomed Res 16 (5): 363–73. PMID 2800051. http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/2531. Retrieved on 2008-07-22. 
 This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (May 2008)

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Copyrights:

Animal Encyclopedia. Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Copyright © 2005 by The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Weddell Seal".  Read more