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

weddell seal leptonichotes weddellii ice antarctic peninsula southern ocean polar regions marine mammal wildlife seal resting seal behavior animal observation antarctica cold climate ice habitat wild seal nature marine wildlife seal pup pinniped open mouth arctic region ocean habitat animal conservation natural environment wildlife conservation ice floe antarctic ecosystem southern wildlife seal species mammals ice formations hunting aquatic life cold water endangered species marine biology seal population ice shelf icebergs habitat protection biodiversity oceanography polar ecosystem marine ecosystem wildlife study sea life prey species