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Difference between revisions of "Weddell seal"
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==Diet and predation== | ==Diet and predation== | ||
Weddell seals eat an array of fish, including the [[Antarctic silverfish]], [[Antarctic krill|krill]], [[glacial squid|squid]], bottom-feeding prawns, cephalopods and crustaceans. A sedentary adult eats around 10 kg (22 lb) a day, while an active adult eats over 50 kg (110 lb) a day. | [[File:Seal-&-toothfish-Jessica-Meir N.jpg|thumb|Weddell seal eating an Antarctic toothfist]] | ||
Weddell seals eat an array of fish, including the [[Antarctic silverfish]] and the [[Antarctic toothfish]], as well as [[Antarctic krill|krill]], [[glacial squid|squid]], bottom-feeding prawns, cephalopods and crustaceans. A sedentary adult eats around 10 kg (22 lb) a day, while an active adult eats over 50 kg (110 lb) a day. | |||
Scientists believe Weddell seals rely mainly on eyesight to hunt for food when light is available. However, during the Antarctic winter darkness, when no light is available under the [[ice]] where the seals forage, they rely on other senses, primarily the sense of touch from their vibrissae or whiskers, which are not just hairs, but very complicated sense organs with more than 500 nerve endings that attach to the animal’s snout. The hairs allow the seals to detect the wake of swimming fish and use that to capture prey. | Scientists believe Weddell seals rely mainly on eyesight to hunt for food when light is available. However, during the Antarctic winter darkness, when no light is available under the [[ice]] where the seals forage, they rely on other senses, primarily the sense of touch from their vibrissae or whiskers, which are not just hairs, but very complicated sense organs with more than 500 nerve endings that attach to the animal’s snout. The hairs allow the seals to detect the wake of swimming fish and use that to capture prey. | ||