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Weddell seal
species of mammal / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Weddell seal[1] | |
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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 |
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