Weddell Seal: Leptonychotes weddellii

摘要: Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the Weddell seal, which belongs to family Phocidae, subfamily Monacinae, and tribe Lobodontini. There is a single species within genus Leptonychotes closest relatives are other Antarctic seals in Lobodontini, such as crabeater, Lobodon carcinophaga ; leopard, Hydrurga leptonyx Ross seals, Ommatophoca rossii monk Monachini Caribbean, Mediterranean, Hawaiian Monachus spp. black with grayish silver streaks, individual variations. The adult pelt does not have underfur pups, light gray lanugo longer thicker than hair shed by 44 days of age. no dramatic sexual dimorphism body size, males reach 2.5–2.9 m females 2.6–3.3 length. Weights range from 400 500 kg, pregnant being heaviest. At birth, pups weigh 22–29 kg about 1.5 large brown eyes often wet circles around them because lacrimal duct. A tapetum back surface retina assists seeing low-light levels, especially during austral winter deep dives. external ear absent; cochlea 10 mm high forms two half turns. organ Corti contains one row inner three rows outer cells. nostrils oriented vertically normally closed but open when seal needs respire. seven mystacial vibrissae superciliary whiskers that smooth, beaded some pinnipeds. has simple stomach eats whole fish, heads down first.