The Crabeater Seal’s Guide to Surviving Antarctica

Photo Story Published : Aug 23, 2018 Updated : Sep 26, 2023
In the freezing waters of the Antarctic peninsula, the stakes are always high
The Crabeater Seal’s Guide to Surviving Antarctica The Crabeater Seal’s Guide to Surviving Antarctica
In the freezing waters of the Antarctic peninsula, the stakes are always high

 

The icy reaches of Antarctica are home to a number of seal species. There are ginormous elephant seals, larger than the average car and weighing over 3,000 kilos. There are stealthy weddell seals that can dive to depths of 600 metres for cod, their favourite food. There are the terrible leopard seals, fierce hunters that eat fish as well as other seals.

In comparison, the crabeater seal is relatively small and not as fierce in temperament, but it does have the distinction of being the most abundantly found pinniped in Antarctica. In fact, surveys estimate that there are between 15 and 30 million crabeater seals in the region, making them the most plentiful of all the large animals on Earth, apart from humans.

Unlike human beings however, crabeater seals are designed for the extreme climate of the polar continent. Their streamlined bodies give them speed underwater; their flippers provide agility, allowing for sharp turns, and the velvety hide layered with blubber, protects them from the frigid polar temperatures. But the most remarkable thing about the crabeater seal is its lobed teeth, unlike any other in the animal kingdom. They look like chainsaws and act like sieves, straining out krill from seawater.

Which brings us to the diet of the crabeater seal. Contrary to popular belief, they do not eat crabs (there are, in fact, very few species of crab in Antarctica). Instead, these seals consume vast quantities of krill, which are tiny, shrimp-like shellfish. Some say their name comes from the German word “kreb”, which means crustacean and encompasses both crab and krill. Others says the misnomer is rooted in an old scientific journal that inaccurately recorded the seals eating crab. Either way, the name stuck.

 

Crabeater seals spend much of their lives on the sea ice: resting, breeding, and taking care of their young. They travel large distances in their lifetimes, moving southwards towards the pole in warmer months, and northwards in the colder times of year.
Crabeater seals spend much of their lives on the sea ice: resting, breeding, and taking care of their young. They travel large distances in their lifetimes, moving southwards towards the pole in warmer months, and northwards in the colder times of year.
Crabeater seals shed their fur every year. After the summer moult, they assume a dark brown colour that gradually lightens, becoming silver blonde by the time winter sets in. Unlike other polar seal species, female crabeaters are larger than their male counterparts.
Crabeater seals shed their fur every year. After the summer moult, they assume a dark brown colour that gradually lightens, becoming silver blonde by the time winter sets in. Unlike other polar seal species, female crabeaters are larger than their male counterparts.
Female crabeaters give birth all alone, on floating ice flows. Shortly after the birthing process, a male appears to offer protection to the mother and newly born. In most cases however, this male is not the father; it is a wannabe mate, securing his spot for when the female is in oestrus again.
Female crabeaters give birth all alone, on floating ice flows. Shortly after the birthing process, a male appears to offer protection to the mother and newly born. In most cases however, this male is not the father; it is a wannabe mate, securing his spot for when the female is in oestrus again.
Crabeater seals often display scars on the sides of their bodies, from leopard seal attacks or from fights with other males during breeding season.
Crabeater seals often display scars on the sides of their bodies, from leopard seal attacks or from fights with other males during breeding season.
Orcas are biggest predators of the crabeater seal, known to hunt the pinnipeds in pods. In these times of danger, crabeaters swim onto the closest sea ice sheet and hold tight until the orcas swim away.
Orcas are biggest predators of the crabeater seal, known to hunt the pinnipeds in pods. In these times of danger, crabeaters swim onto the closest sea ice sheet and hold tight until the orcas swim away.
Sometimes, crabeater seals also hide behind an iceberg, in the hope that the predator does not spot them.
Sometimes, crabeater seals also hide behind an iceberg, in the hope that the predator does not spot them.
The seals are extremely playful underwater, and curious about divers, once they know that they are not under threat. Getting a photograph of these quicksilver animals however, is an entirely different matter. Seals approach photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee in the first photo.
The seals are extremely playful underwater, and curious about divers, once they know that they are not under threat. Getting a photograph of these quicksilver animals however, is an entirely different matter. Seals approach photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee in the first photo.
The seals are extremely playful underwater, and curious about divers, once they know that they are not under threat. Getting a photograph of these quicksilver animals however, is an entirely different matter. Seals approach photographer Dhritiman Mukherjee in the first photo.

About the contributors

Dhritiman Mukherjee

Dhritiman Mukherjee

is one of India's most prolific wildlife and conservation photographers. His work has been featured in leading publications. He is also a RoundGlass Ambassador, and an RBS Earth Hero awardee.
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Sustain Team

Sustain Team

We are a driven group of people from diverse backgrounds, bound by an abiding love for India’s natural world.

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