Crabeater Seal

Description:

Crabeater seals from a distance are hard to distinguish from leopard seals and Weddell seals, but ultimately has a very dog-like face (a longer snout than the Weddell, and much less reptilian looking that the leopard). It has a long body, which is over 2m long in adults, and typical pelagic markings (dark on top, light underneath). It has uniquely serrated teeth that interlock to form a sort of strain, which it uses to pick out krill and other things from the water. It actually doesn't eat crabs at all!

Habitat:

Found all around the Antarctic continent, usually hauled out on ice. We found a lot of them lying around on the ice between the South Shetland and South Orkney Islands.

Notes:

Very abundant, a stark contrast to the Arctic sea ice where there was very little life (due to land-based predators). Often found them lounging around in pairs, and sometimes with Antarctic fur seals on the same floe.