Wildlife
Weddell seals were named after a British sea commander in the 1800s, Sir James Weddell who also has a sea in the Antarctic named after him. These seals live and swim in groups around cracks and breathing holes in the pack ice of the Antarctic, even chewing holes through particularly thin areas of ice with their canine teeth. Weddell seals can drink sea water and they also eat snow. They can remain underwater for up to an hour while hunting.
Scientific name: Leptonychotes weddellii
Rank: Species
In order to see this content you need to have an up-to-date version of Flash installed and Javascript turned on.
Weddell's world
Weddell seals weather the harsh Antarctic conditions.
This clip represent the Natural History Unit's expertise and willingness to get to and film extreme and inaccessible places. Not only did they go to Antractica at a time when all other wildlife is heading north to warmer climes, they then sent cameramen underwater to get beautiful shots of seals under the ice cap.
A chilly reception
In Antarctica, Weddell seals give birth on the pack ice.
In Antarctica, Weddell seals give birth on the pack ice.
The daily grind
Weddell seals gnaw at breathing holes in the ice as they shelter below.
Weddell seals gnaw at breathing holes in the ice as they shelter below.
The Weddell seal can be found in a number of locations including: Antarctica. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Weddell seal distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Least Concern
Population trend: Unknown
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii, is a relatively large and abundant true seal (family: Phocidae) with a circumpolar distribution surrounding Antarctica. Weddell seals have the most southerly distribution of any mammal, with a habitat that extends as far south as McMurdo Sound (at 77° S). It is the only species in the genus Leptonychotes, and the only member of the Antarctic tribe of lobodontine seals to prefer in-shore habitats on shore-fast ice over free-floating pack ice. Because of its abundance, relative accessibility, and ease of approach by humans, it is the best studied of the Antarctic seals. It is estimated that there are approximately 800,000 individuals today. Weddell Seal pups leave their mothers at the age of a few months. In those months they get fed by their mothers fat and warming milk. They soon leave when they are ready to hunt and are fat enough to survive in the harsh weather
The Weddell seal was discovered and named in the 1820s during expeditions led by James Weddell, the British sealing captain, to the parts of the Southern Ocean now known as the Weddell Sea. However, it is found in relatively uniform densities around the entire Antarctic continent.
This entry is from Wikipedia, the user-contributed encyclopedia. If you find the content in the 'About' section factually incorrect, defamatory or highly offensive you can edit this article at Wikipedia. For more information on our use of Wikipedia please read our FAQ.
Take a trip through the natural world with our themed collections of video clips from the natural history archive.
Attenborough's frozen planet
Frozen Planet is Sir David Attenborough's latest exploration into the remote and isolated polar environments.
The wildlife of Life
In autumn 2009, a major new series brought us life as we've never seen it before.
David Attenborough's favourite moments
Watch the most memorable moments from an incredible career watching wildlife, chosen by Sir David from the BBC archive.
BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Adapted to swimming
Carnivorous
Nomadic
Polygynous
Cold tolerant
Viviparous