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Weddell seal - LEPTONYCHOTES WEDDELLI
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Seal": "Seal" comes from the Old English word "seolh," for the animal.
Location: Coasts of Antarctica.
Habitat: Waters close to ~e shore and pack ice.
Description: The fur is dark brown with numerous lighter markings on the back and head, but there is considerable color variation from individual to individual. Molting may occur any time during the summer months between December and March. The upper incisors and canines project forward. These seals grow to almost eleven feet long and weigh up to 775 pounds. The males are slightly smaller than the females.
Behavior: Although this seal gathers in large groups during the pupping season, it tends to be solitary for the rest of the year. They protect their young vigorously. If a pup dies the mother will stay by the body for several days. They feed on fishes and squid. In winter these seals spend most of their lime in the water, breathing through holes in the ice made by their large canine teeth, which frequently break because of this activity.
Reproduction: In September and October, after a gestation period of nine to ten months, the pregnant females gather together to give birth. The single pup is weaned at six weeks, but remains with the mother until it is capable of feeding itself. While nursing, the females do not eat.
Go to the Carnivora Page to learn more about the all the meat-eating animals.
Or go to the Seal Index to study other
seals.
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