Leptonychotes
Leptonychotes is a genus of pinnipeds belonging to the family Otariidae, commonly known as the eared seals. This genus comprises only one extant species, the crabeater seal (Leptonychotes weddellii), and one extinct species, Leptonychotes antarcticus. Crabeater seals are highly specialized for feeding on krill, and they are found exclusively in the Southern Ocean.
Common Names
The crabeater seal is also known as the crab-eating seal or Weddell's crabeater seal. The latter name honors James Weddell, the British explorer who first documented the species in 1820.
Characteristics
Crabeater seals are characterized by:
- A distinctive narrow, elongated head with a blunt snout and small ears.
- A slender body with a relatively long neck and a short, rounded tail.
- A thick layer of blubber for insulation in the cold Southern Ocean waters.
- A dark gray to black coat with a white belly.
- Long, slender whisker-like vibrissae that aid in locating krill prey.
- Specialized teeth with comb-like structures for filtering krill from the water.
Environment
Crabeater seals are found throughout the Southern Ocean, with a particular concentration in the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent areas. They are highly adapted to cold, icy waters and spend most of their time in the water. They typically haul out onto ice floes or rocky shores to rest and breed. Crabeater seals are known to congregate in large numbers on land, forming massive breeding colonies.
References
For more information on Leptonychotes, please refer to the following resources: