Weddell seal
The Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) is a seal that is common in Antarctica. It is named after James Weddell, who discovered it. Estimations are that there are half a million to a million of these animals left, which makes it the most common seal in Antarctica, after the Crabeater seal. During the winter, most Weddel seals do not migrate northwards. Instead, they keep open a hole in the ice, by gnawing it with their teeth.
Weddell seal[1] | |
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Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Order: | Carnivora |
Family: | Phocidae |
Genus: | Leptonychotes Gill, 1872 |
Species: | L. weddellii
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Binomial name | |
Leptonychotes weddellii (Lesson, 1826)
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Weddell seal range
Water Ice Range |
Weddell Seal Media
Baby Weddell seal, Adélie Land
Weddell seal pup with its grey natal coat, Deception Island
Video of a reclining Weddell seal on pack ice in Adélie Land
At Neko Harbour, Antarctica
Notes
- ↑ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
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at position 3 (help) - ↑ {{{assessors}}} (2008). Leptonychotes weddellii. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2008. Retrieved on 29 January 2009.