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[[File:Sturge Island 2 dollars 2012.jpg|250px|left]]
[[File:Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[Sturge Island]]''' is the largest island in the uninhabited [[Balleny Islands]] group located in the [[Southern Ocean]]. It lies 25 kilometers (16 mi) southeast of [[Buckle Island]] and 95 kilometers (59 mi) northeast of Belousov Point on the [[Antarctic]] mainland. The islands were discovered by John Balleny in 1839.
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.


As a member of the Balleny Islands, Sturge Island is governed by the [[Duke of Sherman]], who has served as Governor of the Balleny Islands since they were originally annexed from New Zealand. His original title was [[Duke of Sherman|Count of Sturge]], which draws its name from the island.
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 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 Sturge Island on a map of the Balleny Islands. The second coin was a copper $2 WAD coin minted in 2012. That coin has an image of two [[orca|orcas]] instead of the island itself.
'''([[crabeater seal|Full Article...]])'''
 
'''([[Sturge Island|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...)