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Pinniped Species
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Bearded Seal -
Caribbean Monk Seal -
Crabeater Seal -
Caspian Seal -
Gray Seal -
Harbor Seal -
Harp Seal -
Hawaiian Monk Seal -
Hooded Seal -
Leopard seal -
Mediterranean Monk Seal -
Northern Elephant Seal -
Ribbon Seal -
Ringed Seal -
Southern Elephant Seal -
Spotted Seal -
Weddel Seal
All
x
- – No known individuals remaining.
- – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
- – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
- – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
- – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
- – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
- – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
Weddel Seal
- – No known individuals remaining.
- – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
- – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
- – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
- – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
- – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
- – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
Females generally larger than males. 10-11ft.
Approximately 1,200 lbs but this varies with season and reproductive age.
They are not a migratory species and are found throughout the Antarctic.
Adult seals have dark backs and white undersides to assist with camouflage. Weddell seals during winter months chew at the ice with their specialized incisor teeth to keep breathing holes in the ice open. It causes a lot of wear on their teeth.
Squid, emerald rock-cod and Antarctic silverfish. Weddell seals typically forage at night.
Weddell seals inhabit the sea ice.
Due to current issue with climate change, sea ice is being depleted, making it challenging to thrive in their environment. Fishing gear entanglement is also a factor for this species.
The breeding season for Weddell seal occurs between mid-November through December with pupping typically peaking between September and November. Pups are weaned after about 48 days. Breeding occurs in the water and males become territorial over their breathing hole in the ice. Males reach sexual maturity at about 3 to 6 years of age while females reach sexual maturity at about 2 to 6 years of age.
The Weddell seal is classified as “least concern” according to the IUCN.
Weddell seals groom themselves with their nails on their front flippers and in areas that are hard to reach they wiggle and roll on the ice. This species of seals is very well adapted to diving; dives up to 85 minutes have been recorded and at depths of up to almost 2,000 ft.
