Crabeater Seal

The crabeater seal is one of the most abundant mammals in the world. Their population has increased rapidly over the past 50 years, probably because of declining numbers of whales. The crabeater seal is a seal who lives at the pack ice around Antarctica. Little is known about their behavior because the living area of the crabeater seal makes study not easy.

Males reach a length of around 2,5 meters and can get a weight of 200 tot 300 kg. Females are slightly smaller. The crabeater seal has a dark grey fur that turns almost white in summer. Its head really resembles that of a dog.

The name crabeater is a bit misplaced as its diet contains all except crabs. During mating season you can find the crabeater seal in small packs on the ice. The female gives birth to one pub and nurses it for 3-4 weeks. During this period the female stays on the pack ice. The male seal does not seem to play any role in raising the pub.

The leopard seal is almost the only predator of the crabeater seal. The crabeater seal is, just like the leopard seal, a very good swimmer. He can dive up to 250 meters deep; although it feeds mostly in the top 20 meters of water.