It is not unusual to spot seals on ice flows; especially Crabeater Seals. During a Zodiak cruise, we were surprised to find three different species on the same ice flow.
Left to Right: Crabeater Seal, Leopard Seal, Crabeater Seal, Antarctic Fur Seal
Fur Seals are only distantly related to the others which we call “True Seals.”
Fur Seals can walk about on their flippers.
On a surface, True Seals like this Crabeater Seal must undulate like snakes in order to travel.
Fur Seal and Crabeater Seal
Crabeater Seal
Huge head and mouth of Leopard Seal
In the sea, a Leopard Seal might attack a Crabeater Seal but here they are lying together.
The stomach of a Leopard Seal was cut open during the Captain Scott expedition. The remains of eighteen penguins were found within.
Crabeater and Leopard Seals
Four seals, three species
February 8, 2017
Miles Hearn