The Weddell Seal
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Weddell Seals weigh up to 400kg and their life span is up to 30 years. Their scientific name is Leptonychotes Weddelli.They are mammals and live mostly near the shore in south of Antarctica.
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Weddell Seals can be spotted by their silver- grey fur.they have big black eyes with no flaps but they are still able close them. They use their keen eyes to look around for food and if they see a sudden movement they will know if it’s their prey or predator just by looking at it. Weddell Seals have big hind flippers with five toes it’s used to have support as it moves or swims. Weddell Seals have interlocking teeth’s that are strong to fight predators if attacked and chew prey if found. They also have big flippers with claws and big fat layer blubber around it self to help protect it and stay warm.
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Weddell Seals prefer to live mostly near the coast and scientists have discovered the reason is because they are most likely to find food there. Weddell Seals live further south than any other animal in Antarctica and mostly travel on pack ice. Antarctic sea and ice is everything to them because that’s where they spend most of their lives.
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Whilst most Antarctic animals hunt during the day Weddell Seals hunt at night. Weddle Seals are carnivores which mean that their diet consists mainly of meat. Their main food sources are fish, krill, squid and sometimes penguins and other crustaceans. Weddell Seals are listed second in the food chain and their most feared predators are killer whales and leopard seals.
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Weddell Seals are the best swimmers in Antarctica. Weddell Seals move with the support of their flippers and slide on their bellies. Weddell Seals can dive 700m underwater and can hold their breath for 1 hour. They are so loud under water than anybody standing above could hear them moan.
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Weddell Seals breeding habits are very different to any other animal in Antarctica. Male seals fight to attract female seals and males are the ones that choose if they want to reproduce. Once the female seal has gave birth to theipups they grow very fast. When the pup is born it weighs up to 60kg.
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Weddle Seals are very important animals as can be seen when looking at their habitat, food, movement and breeding habits. The Weddell Seals are a very unique animal and if this amazing animal is not protected it will have a massive effect on the rest of the Antarctic food chain.