The Weddell seal [2] (Leptonychotes weddellii) is a relatively large and abundant true seal with a circumpolar distribution surrounding Antarctica. The Weddell seal was discovered and named in the 1820s during expeditions led by British sealing captain James Weddell to the area of the Southern Ocean now known as the Weddell Sea . [ 3 ]

The Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) is a relatively large and abundant true seal with a circumpolar distribution surrounding Antarctica. The Weddell seal was discovered and named in the 1820s during expeditions led by British sealing captain James Weddell to the area of the Southern Ocean now known as the Weddell Sea.

Get a peek at the amazing Weddell seal, which can dive 2,000 feet below the chilly waters of the Antarctic and stay under for 45 minutes.

Weddell seals move in slow humping motion on land as well as on ice. They swim at a speed of about 5 to 7 knots, using their fore and hind flippers. Diving has been measured at depths of 600 m, and they can remain under for up to an hour (Stirling 1971).

Weddell seals have a circumpolar distribution and are coastal, staying around the fast ice and venturing only 15–20 km into the Southern Ocean to feed. Weddell seals haul-out onto the fast-ice to rest and moult, and for females to pup. Weddell seals are incredibly placid sedentary animals.

Weddell seals are the southernmost breeding mammal on the planet. They carve breathing holes in the sea ice to access their feeding grounds below. They are known for their otherworldly call, which sounds like a message from outer space! Scientific name: Leptonychotes weddellii. Average Length: 8 feet 2 inches – 11 feet 6 inches (2.5–3.5 meters).

Weddell seals keep breathing holes in the ice open by rasping back and forth with their teeth, this allows them to live further south than any other mammal. They can swim large distances between breathing holes and cracks, finding the next hole using a form of sonar with high pitched sounds .

Weddell Seals live the furthest south of any mammals. Since Weddell Seals are the most studied of any Seal species in the Antarctic. Weddell Seals are named after James Weddell, a British captain of a sealing vessel. Weddell Seal females are generally a little bit longer and heavier than the males. Weddell Seals have a membrane over their eyes ...

Weddell seal, (Leptonychotes weddellii), nonmigratory earless seal (family Phocidae) found around the South Pole, on or near the coast of Antarctica. The Weddell seal is a rotund animal that grows to about 3 metres (10 feet) in length and about 400 kg (880 pounds) in weight; the female is larger.

The Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) is a seal that is common in Antarctica. It is named after James Weddell, who discovered it. Estimations are that there are half a million to a million of these animals left, which makes it the most common seal in Antarctica, after the Crabeater seal.