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 polar regions ice resting marine mammal wildlife nature animal behavior cold climate fauna arctic ocean seal colony warm blooded aquatic carnivore large mammal adaptation habitat wildlife conservation antarctic ecosystem marine biology cold weather natural behavior coastal seasonal changes icy environment resting behavior food chain ecosystem balance wilderness environmental science animal habitat seal characteristics seasonal habitat breathing hole snow cover environmental adaptation powerful swimmer marine ecosystem wildlife observation natural habitat behavior patterns