Crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophaga) hauled out on ice floe near Cuverville Island in the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Polar Regions

crabeater seal lobodon carcinophaga antarctic peninsula ice floe cuverville island polar environment wildlife ice seal habitat marine mammal antarctica adaptation resting basking cold climate ocean nature conservation arctic species pinniped ice habitat feeding sea ice animal behavior polar regions ecosystem mammals wilderness marine ecosystem ice formations natural habitat seal species antarctic fauna aquatic life cold environment snow antarctic landscape wildlife observation natural world ice landscape coastal habitat biodiversity freezing temperatures wildlife study