Weddell Seals: Behavior and Adaptations

Weddell seals, native to Antarctica, are the only mammals living near the South Pole year-round. They are incredibly resilient, capable of holding their breath for over an hour and diving to depths of 2,000 feet. These seals spend most of their lives foraging for food, such as fish and invertebrates. They surface only to breathe, rest, and give birth. Weddell seals have adapted to store more oxygen in their blood, reducing nitrogen levels and increasing oxygen capacity. This adaptation helps them evade predators like killer whales, as they can dive under ice where predators cannot follow.

What is the approximate population of Weddell seals in Antarctica?

• 500,000

• 1,200,000

• 1,000,000

• 800,000

How long can Weddell seals hold their breath underwater?

• 30 minutes

• Over an hour

• 2 hours

• 45 minutes

What is the maximum depth Weddell seals have been observed diving to?

• 2,000 feet

• 1,500 feet

• 1,000 feet

• 2,500 feet

What do Weddell seals primarily eat?

• Seaweed

• Fish and small invertebrates

• Crustaceans

• Plankton

Why do Weddell seals surface?

• To socialize

• To hunt

• To breathe, rest, and give birth

• To escape predators

How do Weddell seals increase their oxygen capacity?

• By swimming faster

• By resting more

• By taking repeated long breaths

• By eating more

What natural feature helps protect Weddell seals from predators?

• Sharp teeth

• Camouflage

• Permanently frozen sea

• Thick fur

Why can't predators pursue Weddell seals under the ice?

• They are afraid of the cold

• They are too large

• They can't hold their breath long enough

• They get lost easily