Weddell Seal (Leptonychotes weddellii)
Weddell Seals are known for their very deep dives -- which may reach some 700 meters. They can also hold their breath for approximately 80 minutes. They are not very social out of water, even avoiding physical contact at most times.
Copulation has only been observed to occur underwater, where the female is often bitten in the neck by her partner. Play fighting is very common for these animals as they grow. The diet of the Weddell Seal consists of squids, notothenid fishes, as well as Antarctic toothfish. This seal lives further south than any other mammal, inhabiting the waters of McMurdo Sound, 800 miles from the South Pole. These relatively meek animals are usually found in large groups on ice attached to the continent and can be easily approached by humans.
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Weddell Seals are known for their very deep dives -- which may reach some 700 meters. They can also hold their breath for approximately 80 minutes. They are not very social out of water, even avoiding physical contact at most times.
Copulation has only been observed to occur underwater, where the female is often bitten in the neck by her partner. Play fighting is very common for these animals as they grow. The diet of the Weddell Seal consists of squids, notothenid fishes, as well as Antarctic toothfish. This seal lives further south than any other mammal, inhabiting the waters of McMurdo Sound, 800 miles from the South Pole. These relatively meek animals are usually found in large groups on ice attached to the continent and can be easily approached by humans.
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