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[[File:Sherman Island Satellite Image.png|300px|left]]
[[File:Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[Sherman Island]]''' is an ice-covered island of [[Westarctica]] about 59 kilometers (32 nmi) long and 19 kilometers (10 nmi) wide, lying south of [[Thurston Island]] in the middle of [[Peacock Sound]]. The island is entirely surrounded by the [[Abbot Ice Shelf]], and even though it rises above the shelf, it can not be navigated to by ships. The much smaller [[Carpenter Island]] lies 17 miles due east.
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 2006, shortly after [[Grand Duke Travis]] abdicated the throne, his successor, [[Grand Duke Philip]] quickly recognized the importance of Westarctica's [[Minister of the Treasury]], [[Duke of Sherman|Jorge Fernandez Vidal]], who at that time held the title Marquis of Williamson. As appreciation for Jorge's services to the crown and nation, Grand Duke Philip granted him the title "Duke of Sherman." It was the only noble title he created during his entire reign.
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 was named by US-ACAN for Admiral Forrest Sherman, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, 1949–51, when preparations were being made for U.S. Naval support during the forthcoming International Geophysical Year (IGY) operations.
'''([[crabeater seal|Full Article...]])'''
 
'''([[Sherman 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...)