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[[File:Principality Thurston.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
[[File:Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[Thurston Island]]''' is an [[ice]]-covered, [[glacier|glacially]] dissected island, 215 km (134 mi) long, 90 km (56 mi) wide and 15,700 km2 (6,062 sq mi) in area, lying a short way off the northwest end of [[Ellsworth Land]] in [[Westarctica]]. It is Westarctica's largest island, and the third largest island of [[Antarctica]] (after Alexander Island and Berkner Island).
The '''[[crabeater seal]]''' is a true seal with a circumpolar distribution around the coast of [[Antarctica]]. They are found primarily on the free-floating [[pack ice]] that extends seasonally out from the Antarctic coast, which they use as a platform for resting, mating, social aggregation and accessing their prey. They are by far the most abundant seal species in the world. While population estimates are uncertain, there are at least 7 million and possibly as many as 75 million individuals. This success of this species is due to its specialized predation on the abundant [[Antarctic krill]] of the [[Southern Ocean]], for which it has uniquely adapted, sieve-like tooth structure.


In June 2005, [[Lovette Mott]] won the title Prince/Princess of Thurston in an auction posted on Ebay. She had specifically sought the title as a graduation present for her daughter, [[Princess of Thurston|Kerry Mott]]. For the first time in Westarctica's history, [[Grand Duke Travis]] arranged a coronation ceremony for the Princess at her family home outside of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This coronation (as opposed to the typical investiture for [[Peerage of Westarctica|nobles]] or [[Orders of Westarctica|knights]]) was intended to signify the royal status of the Principality instead of the merely noble rank of all other Westarctican titles. This royal status placed the Princess of Thurston in the order of succession, but kept her outside the [[Royal Family of Westarctica]].
Despite its name, crabeater seals do not eat crabs. As well as being an important [[krill]] predator, the crabeater seal is an important component of the diet of [[leopard seal|leopard seals]], which consume about 80% of all crabeater pups.


'''([[Thurston Island|Full Article...]])'''
'''([[crabeater seal|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 13:37, 19 March 2026

Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg

The crabeater seal is a true seal with a circumpolar distribution around the coast of Antarctica. They are found primarily on the free-floating pack ice that extends seasonally out from the Antarctic coast, which they use as a platform for resting, mating, social aggregation and accessing their prey. They are by far the most abundant seal species in the world. While population estimates are uncertain, there are at least 7 million and possibly as many as 75 million individuals. This success of this species is due to its specialized predation on the abundant Antarctic krill of the Southern Ocean, for which it has uniquely adapted, sieve-like tooth structure.

Despite its name, crabeater seals do not eat crabs. As well as being an important krill predator, the crabeater seal is an important component of the diet of leopard seals, which consume about 80% of all crabeater pups.

(Full Article...)