4.11.2008

Weddell Seals

The Weddell seal is the most southerly living mammal in the world. Spending most of its time on fast-ice, frozen sea ice attached to the coast, the Weddells uses tidal cracks for breathing holes. They keep these holes open by sawing at the ice with their upper incisors and canine teeth and by swing their head from side to side. Their live expectancy is based upon longevity of their teeth, up to 20 years.



Female Weddell seals, called cows, are slightly larger in size than the bulls and can grow up to 11 feet long and weigh up to 1200 pounds.



Mating season for the Weddell seal occurs only weeks after the previous years pupping season. Implantation however, will occur over three weeks later, allowing for the cow to direct all of her energies towards milking her current newborn.



Pregnant cows begin gathering at traditional pupping areas as early as late August. In latitudes as far south as the McMurdo area, peak pupping time occurs in late October into November. At birth, pups weigh around 60 pounds and fatten quickly on their mothers 42% fat milk. Though twins are very rare, it isn't uncommon for one mother to adopt an abandoned pup (as in this photo).




Lactation lasts for up to 50 days when the pup may weigh up to 220 pounds. While the mother nurses, she will not feed, causing her to loose a significant percentage of her body weight in order to best protect her pup. Although Killer whales are the Weddells primary predator, Leopard seals are also known to kill the pups.



At birth, Weddell pups have no insulating blubber, but they do have very fine, thick baby fur, called lunago. At two weeks the pups begin to loose this grey natal coat and will molt over the course of a month into a coat similar to the adults.



Vibrissae, or whiskers, are very important to seals. With many nerve endings at their base, vibrissae are extremely sensitive to motion. This is important as visibility diminishes with depth and the detection of prey movement by the Weddell is determined by the feeling of subtle changes in the fishes motion instead of by sight.




18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Howdy,

I mostly visits this website[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url]You have really contiributed very good info here karenhilton.blogspot.com. Let me tell you one thing guys, some time we really forget to pay attention towards our health. Here is a fact for you. Recent Research presents that about 70% of all United States adults are either fat or weighty[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url] Therefore if you're one of these individuals, you're not alone. Infact many among us need to lose 10 to 20 lbs once in a while to get sexy and perfect six pack abs. Now the question is how you are planning to have quick weight loss? [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss[/url] is not like piece of cake. Some improvement in of daily activity can help us in losing weight quickly.

About me: I am author of [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss tips[/url]. I am also mentor who can help you lose weight quickly. If you do not want to go under hard training program than you may also try [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/acai-berry-for-quick-weight-loss]Acai Berry[/url] or [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/colon-cleanse-for-weight-loss]Colon Cleansing[/url] for fast weight loss.

Anonymous said...

I do not comment, but after looking at a bunch of comments on "Weddell Seals".
I do have 2 questions for you if it's allright. Could it be just me or do a few of these remarks come across as if they are written by brain dead visitors? :-P And, if you are writing at other places, I'd like to
keep up with you. Could you make a list of every one of all your social networking sites like
your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
Also visit my web-site ... Online Business Systems Review

Anonymous said...

Appreciate this post. Will try it out.
My web blog : African Mango weight Loss

Anonymous said...

Thank you for any other informative web site. The
place else could I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect way?

I've a challenge that I am just now operating on, and I've been on the look out for such information.
My web site :: Extreme Nitro

Anonymous said...

Truly no matter if someone doesn't be aware of after that its up to other people that they will help, so here it happens.
My web blog :: Coffee Shop MIllionaire Review

Anonymous said...

This blog was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me.
Kudos!
My web-site :: Male Enhancement Product

Anonymous said...

I love it when individuals get together and share ideas.
Great site, keep it up!
Also visit my website :: Best Search Engine Optimization

Anonymous said...

If you are going for finest contents like I do,
just go to see this website daily because it gives feature contents, thanks

Feel free to surf to my page: Order Grow XL

Anonymous said...

Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.

Here is my blog post :: XtraSize

Anonymous said...

Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.

my web page: XtraSize

Anonymous said...

I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will
bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I am quite certain I'll learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

Feel free to visit my web site ... Order Rejuvenex

Anonymous said...

Your style is unique compared to other folks I've read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you've got
the opportunity, Guess I'll just book mark this web site.

Feel free to surf to my blog; Max Thermo Burn

Anonymous said...

What's up, this weekend is fastidious in favor of me, because this moment i am reading this impressive informative post here at my residence.

My webpage ... Pur Essence

Anonymous said...

Why visitors still make use of to read news papers when in this technological
globe the whole thing is presented on net?

Have a look at my web site - Grow XL Male Enhancement

Anonymous said...

It is perfect time to make some plans for the
future and it's time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some
interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring
to this article. I wish to read more things about it!


my page ... Muscle Rev Xtreme

Anonymous said...

Pretty ѕection of content. Ӏ juѕt stumbled uρon yοuг website and in
аcceѕsiοn саpital to assert that I gеt аctually enjoyеԁ aсcount
your blοg ρoѕts. Αny waу
I will be ѕubѕcrіbing to your augment and eνen I
achіeνement yοu acceѕs cοnsiѕtently гapiԁly.



Stop bу mу website: diamondlinks review

Anonymous said...

Your style is really unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from.
Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess
I'll just book mark this blog.

Here is my web page Lean Muscle formula

Anonymous said...

Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment
(it was extremely long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I had written and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your
blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I'm still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for beginner blog writers? I'd
definitely appreciate it.

Review my page; Test Force Xtreme