Weddell seal

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. During the winter, most Weddel seals do not migrate northwards. Instead, they keep open a hole in the ice, by gnawing it with their teeth.

Weddell seal[1]
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Carnivora
Clade:	Pinnipedia
Family:	Phocidae
Genus:	Leptonychotes Gill, 1872
Species:	L. weddellii
Binomial name
Leptonychotes weddellii (Lesson, 1826)
Weddell seal range   Water   Ice   Range

Female Weddel seal, with calf.

A Weddell seal breathing in a hole in the ice.

Notes

1. Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
2. Gelatt, T.; Southwell, C. (2008). "Leptonychotes weddellii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 29 January 2009.