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Difference between revisions of "Crabeater seal"
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===Predation=== | ===Predation=== | ||
[[File:Crabeater Seals (js).jpg|thumb|right|Two crabeater seals in Antarctica]] | [[File:Crabeater Seals (js).jpg|thumb|right|Two crabeater seals in Antarctica]] | ||
Young crabeater seals experience significant predation by [[leopard | Young crabeater seals experience significant predation by [[leopard seal]]s. First-year mortality is exceedingly high, possibly reaching 80%, and up to 78% of crabeaters that survive through their first year have injuries and scars from leopard seal attacks. Long scars and sets of parallel scars, visible on the otherwise pale and relatively unmarked pelage of crabeaters, are present on nearly all young seals. The incidence of visible scars falls off significantly after the first year, suggesting leopard seals primarily target the young of the year. The high predation pressure has clear impacts on the demography and life history of crabeater seals, and has likely had an important role in shaping social behaviors, including aggregation of subadults. | ||
Predation by [[orca|killer whales]] (''Orcinus orca'') is poorly documented, though all ages are hunted. While most predation occurs in the water, coordinated attacks by groups of killer whales creating a wave to wash the hauled-out seal off floating ice have been observed. | Predation by [[orca|killer whales]] (''Orcinus orca'') is poorly documented, though all ages are hunted. While most predation occurs in the water, coordinated attacks by groups of killer whales creating a wave to wash the hauled-out seal off floating ice have been observed. | ||