What is a weddle seal?

Crabeater Seal (Lobodon carcinophagus)

- Crabeater seals are named for their diet, which consists almost exclusively of Antarctic krill.

- It is the most abundant seal species with a population of over 75 million.

- The crabeater seal is relatively small, with males reaching up to 9 feet long and weighing up to 600 pounds.

- Females are slightly smaller, reaching up to 8 feet long and weighing up to 450 pounds.

- Crabeater seals are gray with a distinctive silver sheen and have large, dark eyes.

- These seals are found in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica and are highly adapted to cold conditions.

- They have a thick layer of blubber that helps them stay warm in the frigid waters and long flippers that propel them through the water.