Crabeater Seal

Medium sized, long light-coloured seal with a dog-like muzzle.  The fur is silver-grey to cream coloured and it may have spots and rings on the sides.  Exhibits a unique sieve-like tooth structure for predation on krill.  A characteristic of the species, though not diagnostic, is that many individuals have  scars on the body, mainly inflicted by Leopard Seals, which prey on Crabeater Seal pups.

Diet and behaviour.  Feeds primarily on Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) so the faeces are pinkish red which often stains its haul out spots.  Around 10% of their diet is also made up of fish and squid.  Most dives are 20 - 50 m but can be up t0 600 m.  Dives can be up to 24 minutes long.  

Group size is usually 1-3 but much larger groups (up to 1,000) are not uncommon. Adults and subadults moult in January and February. 

Breeding Cycle: The female hauls out alone between September and December and a single pup is born on the ice, usually in the second half of October.  The male attends the pair until the female is ready to mate after 1-2 weeks.  Mating is presumed to occur in water.  The pup is weaned after 3 weeks.  Lifespan average 30-40 years.  

Scientific name: (Lobodon carcinophage)

Length: 2.2 - 2.6m

Weight: 180 - 300 kgs

Population: 2,000,000 - 7,000,000 individuals

Species conservations status: Least Concern