Adult Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) hauled out on ice near the Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

weddell seal leptonychotes weddellii southern ocean antarctic peninsula ice polar region marine mammal wildlife nature animal behavior seal resting colony ocean habitat endangered species natural habitat aquatic ecosystem adaptation blubber cold climate fur marine life seal pup pinniped marine conservation biodiversity feeding locomotion migration seal pups environment behavior oceanography animal welfare conservation efforts ecological balance species diversity adaptation strategies habitat protection sea temperature predator prey nutrition respiration antarctic ecosystem natural beauty tranquility isolation research field studies