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

weddell seal leptonychotes weddellii antarctic peninsula southern ocean polar regions ice marine mammal animal behavior wildlife resting seal habitat cold climate ice floe seal resting ocean wildlife antarctic wildlife native seals sea ice seal population marine ecosystems southern hemisphere coastal ice natural behavior wildlife conservation seal species mammal species antarctic environment animal relaxation ice landscapes native fauna ocean ecosystem winter habitat antarctic species conservation efforts marine biology natural habitat seal populations wildlife observation marine environment species behavior ecological balance wildlife protection polar ecology