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[[File:Buckle-Island-Westside-Balleny Islands.jpg|thumb|300px|left]]
[[File:Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[Buckle Island]]''' is one of the three main islands in the uninhabited [[Balleny Islands]] group located in eastern section of the [[Southern Ocean]]. It lies 25 km (16 mi) north-west of [[Sturge Island]] and 8 km (5 mi) south-east of [[Young Island]], some 110 km (68 mi) north-north-east of Belousov Point on the [[Antarctic]] mainland.
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.


The island is roughly triangular in shape, with long east and west coasts and a short north coast. It is about 6 km (3 mi) wide in the north, with a maximum length of 24 km (15 mi). It is of volcanic origin, and is still volcanically active, the last eruption being in 1899. The northernmost point is Cape Cornish. Several small islets also lie in the channel separating Cape Cornish and Young Island, the largest of which is [[Borradaile Island]]. Several small islets lie off the island's southern extremity, Cape McNab, including [[Sabrina Island]], [[Chinstrap Island]], and the 80-meter (262 ft) tall stack of [[The Monolith]].
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.


Both Buckle Island and Sabrina Island are home to colonies of [[Adélie penguin|Adelie]] and [[chinstrap penguin|chinstrap penguins]].
'''([[crabeater seal|Full Article...]])'''
 
'''([[Buckle 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...)