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Crabeater Seals
Crabeater Seals
Common Name: Crabeater
Seals
Scientific Name: Lobodon carcinophaga
Description
Crabeater seals are the
most numerous of the world's seals. There are millions of
crabeater seals. After the pups are born,
a male will join and defend the female, waiting for his chance
to breed. Crabeater seals can be found in
large numbers but are more likely observed alone or in small
groups. A crabeater seal usually feeds at
night, will spend 8-10 hours feeding, and will make over 100
dives.
Size
Males and females are similar in size, reaching
lengths of 2.5m and weights of 400kg.
Diet
Crabeater seals have one
main food item, krill, which is an abundant shrimp-like crustacean
that is found all around Antarctica.
Behaviour
They are capable of diving to depths of up
to 250m, but usually feed within the upper 20m of the water
column.
Breeding
They breed on the ice from late September
to early November. Females give birth to a single pup which
is weaned 3-4 weeks after birth. During this time the female
spends the entire time on the ice with the pup.
During the breeding season the female and pup are usually
accompanied by a male which mates with the female when she
comes into oestrous. The male plays no part in bringing up
the pup, and the group disbands once the pup is weaned.
Moulting
Moulting occurs in January and February. Seals spend most of their time on the ice when moulting.
Crabeater Seals Live
Crabeater seals inhabit
the pack ice zone surrounding Antarctica. On rare occasions
they may be found on the South African coasts, South American
coasts, Australian and New Zealand coasts, and the islands
that surround Antarctica.
Population
Although it was once thought that there may
be over 15 million crabeater seals. There is currently no
reliable estimate of the abundance of crabeater seals.
An international group of scientists is currently collaborating
to decide a good population estimate.
Crabeater Seal Life
Crabeater seals have been
known to live for forty years.
Threats
Leopard
seals are a major predator of crabeater seals,
particularly of young pups. Most adult crabeater seals have
large scars as a result of unsuccessful predation by leopard
seals when they were younger.
Move
Crabeater seals can move
large distances through the pack-ice, due to both active movement
and passive movement on drifting ice floes. They generally
move southwards in spring, and northwards in autumn, with
the seasonal contraction and expansion of the pack-ice.
Identify Crabeater Seals
Crabeater seals will weigh
up to 500 pounds with the female being larger. They will reach
7 feet in length. At the end of summer they are almost white.
The teeth of crabeater seals may be the most specialized of
any carnivore. The crabeater seal may be the fastest of all
the pinnipeds on ice, faster than a man can run.
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