Facts about Weddell Seal

1. 08

   Named after British naval officer James Weddell, who explored Antarctic waters in the 1820s, the Weddell seal is the southernmost naturally occurring mammal on Earth.

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2. 07

   Thick blubber layers comprising up to 50 percent of a Weddell seal's body mass insulate them in waters dropping below minus 2 degrees Celsius.

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3. 06

   Over 20 years of continuous observation at Antarctic research stations show Weddell seals return to the same breathing holes annually, demonstrating remarkable site fidelity across decades.

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4. 05

   Adult male Weddell seals weigh approximately 400 to 500 kilograms, making them significantly larger than females who typically range from 250 to 350 kilograms.

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5. 04

   Lactation in Weddell seals produces milk containing approximately 50 percent fat, among the richest of any marine mammal, enabling rapid pup growth during their brief nursing period.

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6. 03

   Antarctic research stations have documented Weddell seals producing vocalizations underwater that reach frequencies up to 10 kilohertz, used for communication beneath the ice.

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7. 02

   Weddell seals breed on Antarctic fast ice in October and November, with pups weighing approximately 15 kilograms at birth and nursing for only six weeks before weaning.

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8. 01

   Beneath Antarctic ice, Weddell seals maintain breathing holes by using their teeth to keep them open, allowing dives lasting up to 80 minutes at depths exceeding 600 meters.

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