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[[File:Young Island-Balleny Islands.jpg|300px|left]]
[[File:Crabeater Pléneau Bay.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[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.
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 semi-oval in shape, with a long straight east coast and a curved west coast meeting at Cape Scoresby in the south and Cape Ellsworth in the north. The distance between these two capes is 19 nautical miles (22 mi), and at its widest the island is 4 nautical miles (4.6 mi) across. The island is volcanic, with active fumaroles (opening in or near a volcano, through which hot sulfurous gases emerge), and a height of 1,340 meters (4,400 feet). Several small islets lie in the channel separating Cape Scoresby and [[Buckle Island]], the largest of which is [[Borradaile Island]]. Several sea stacks lie off the island's northern tip. These are known as the Seal Rocks.
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.


'''([[Young 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...)