It is believed that the hunt for new populations of seals is what started early exploration of Antarctica.
Seals spend most of their time in the water but return to land for breeding.
Seals use echolocation (sonar) and excellent sight from their big eyes to hunt at sea.
Most Seals eat krill, fish and squid.
There are two main types of seals - seals with ears and seals without protruding ears.
The Antarctic Fur seal is the only seal with protruding ears. The Antarctic Fur Seal has hind flippers without hair which makes them more agile on land.
Non protruding eared seals (true seals) have furry hind flippers which make them excellent swimmers, but on land they need to drag their flippers behind them.
Seals were the first species of animals from Antarctica to be hunted for commercial reasons. Seal skin, fur and oil were popular products and because of this commercial activity many species were on the brink of extinction.
Seals are now protected by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals.
Seals spend most of their time in the water but return to land for breeding.
Seals use echolocation (sonar) and excellent sight from their big eyes to hunt at sea.
Most Seals eat krill, fish and squid.
There are two main types of seals - seals with ears and seals without protruding ears.
The Antarctic Fur seal is the only seal with protruding ears. The Antarctic Fur Seal has hind flippers without hair which makes them more agile on land.
Non protruding eared seals (true seals) have furry hind flippers which make them excellent swimmers, but on land they need to drag their flippers behind them.
Seals were the first species of animals from Antarctica to be hunted for commercial reasons. Seal skin, fur and oil were popular products and because of this commercial activity many species were on the brink of extinction.
Seals are now protected by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals.