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[[File:Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg|250px|left]]
[[File:Young Island-Balleny Islands.jpg|250px|left]]
The '''[[crabeater seal]]''' is a true seal with a circumpolar distribution around the coast of [[Antarctica]]. 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.
'''[[Young Island]]''' is the northernmost and westernmost of the three main islands in the uninhabited [[Balleny Islands]] group located in the [[Southern Ocean]]. It lies 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) northwest of [[Buckle Island]], some 115 kilometers (71 mi) north-northeast of Belousov Point on the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] mainland.


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. The crabeater seal is the official seal of [[Westarctica]], and a favored animal of [[Grand Duke Travis]].
Young Island was annexed by [[Westarctica]] on 14 January 2005 when it annexed the entire [[Balleny Islands]] group. The island has been featured on two of Westarctica's [[Coins of Westarctica|coins]]: the first was a bronze $1 WAD coin minted in 2005 by the [[Central Bank of Westarctica]] and shows Young Island on a map of the Balleny Islands. The second coin was a brass $2 WAD coin minted in 2013 and was the last coin created by the Central Bank. That coin has an image of an [[Antarctic krill]] instead of the island itself.


Crabeaters have relatively slender bodies and long skulls and snouts compared to other phocids. Perhaps their most distinctive adaptation is the unique dentition that enables this species to sieve Antarctic [[krill]]. The postcanine teeth are finely divided with multiple cusps. Together with the tight fit of the upper and lower jaw, a bony protuberance near the back of the mouth completes a near-perfect sieve within which krill are trapped.
'''([[Young Island|Full Article...]])'''
 
'''([[crabeater seal|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 17:40, 29 November 2025

Young Island-Balleny Islands.jpg

Young Island is the northernmost and westernmost of the three main islands in the uninhabited Balleny Islands group located in the Southern Ocean. It lies 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) northwest of Buckle Island, some 115 kilometers (71 mi) north-northeast of Belousov Point on the Antarctic mainland.

Young Island was annexed by Westarctica on 14 January 2005 when it annexed the entire Balleny Islands group. The island has been featured on two of Westarctica's coins: the first was a bronze $1 WAD coin minted in 2005 by the Central Bank of Westarctica and shows Young Island on a map of the Balleny Islands. The second coin was a brass $2 WAD coin minted in 2013 and was the last coin created by the Central Bank. That coin has an image of an Antarctic krill instead of the island itself.

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