Weddell seal. Eight-week-old Weddell seal pup (Leptonychotes weddellii) swimming under pack ice. Weddell seals are born singly. They have fine soft ha

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Weddell seal. Eight-week-old Weddell seal pup (Leptonychotes weddellii) swimming under pack ice. Weddell seals are born singly. They have fine soft hair (lanugo) that turns to a dark thicker coat at about a month. They are born with their permanent dentition and, following weaning at six weeks, feed on fish and squid. Found throughout the Antarctic, the majority of their social behaviour occurs in water. Weddell seals have been recorded diving down to 600 metres and are able to stay underwater for up to an hour. They have well developed eyes, which assist them in hunting and locating breathing holes in the ice. Photographed off Signy Island, British Antarctic Territory.

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Size: 4549px × 3138px
Photo credit: © DOUG ALLAN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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