Ross+seal

Animal:Ross Seal Animal Group:Phocidae Description of animal group They have large eyes 7cm in diamiter ||  || Observation Describe your animal (Colour, size, body parts) They look different a they are 2.3 metres longthey have a long body and small fins and a tail In appearance, Ross seals have dark grey to chestnut coats with buff undersides. Adults molt in January or February. They have relatively short heads and snouts, with very large eyes. Distinctive light and dark chestnut or chocolate stripes can be observed from the chin to the chest. These throat markings are clearly visible when the animal is disturbed. When approached it throws its head back, inflates its throat, and opens its small mouth revealing sharp, recurved incisors and canines. Ross seals also have the shortest hair of any seal. Females are typically larger than the males and most adults have small pale scars around the neck and shoulders. ||  || Describe how your animal behaves (moves, flies, runs) Ross seals are thought to be solitary and sparsely distributed across pack ice habitats (Spettstoesser 2000). This is because only 3% - 9% are seen in pairs. However, it is thought that they may be more social than they appear because lone seals on ice are often associated with diving seals beneath the surface of the ice (King 1990). Ross seals may establish territories underwater through vocalizations ||  || Where it livesIt almost never leaves the Antarctic Ocean, with the very rare exception of stray animals found around sub-antarctic islands, and uniquely, off the south coast of Australia. Mainly found deep within heavy pack ice. Also found on island coasts in the winter (during the Astral summer). : **Pack ice in summer and island coasts in winter ** ||  || What it eats How it eatskrill fish cephalopods and squid it hunts for food. Specializing primarily on cephalopods, particularly squid, Ross seals' limited populations may be due to a lack of significant feeding resources. Fish and krill are preyed upon as well, but in lesser amounts. The Ross seal is believed to be able to feed at depths of several hundred feet, where its large eyes aid underwater vision. Squid beaks and fish remains have been found in the guts of Ross seals (Skinner 1984). Studies have shown the diet to consist of approximately 64% [|cephalopods], 22% fish, and 14% other invertebrates (Oritsland 1977). (Oritsland, 1977; Skinner, 1984) ||  || [] ||  || How does it have babies? How does it care for its babies? How long do they live? In November the females give birth to their young on the ice. The pup is nursed for only four weeks and then left alone, shortly after which the female will mate underwater with a new partner. Within three years, the Ross Seals are in their adolescence. Ross seals reach sexual maturity between three and five years. Pups are born on pack ice in November, and are approximately 4 feet long and weigh about 60 pounds. Though rarely observed, the pups are born with dark brown fur which is lighter on the underside. The female nurses her pup alone for about 25 days after which the pup is weaned. ||  || . ||   || What does it do during the day and night? Ross seals spend most of the day in the surrounding oceans and the pack ice eating and caring for young. At night they sleep in the pack ice. ||  || How has it changed over time in Antarctica? ||  || Type in the content of your page here.
 * __**Classification**__
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 * __**Description**__
 * Source 1:http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/SEALS/ross.shtml ||  ||
 * Source 2:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Seal ||  ||
 * **__Movement:__**
 * Source 1:http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Ommatophoca_rossii.html ||  ||
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 * **__Habitat:__**
 * Source 1:http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/SEALS/ross.shtml ||  ||
 * Source 2:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Seal ||  ||
 * **__Feeding Habits:__**
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 * Source 2:http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/SEALS/ross.shtml
 * **__Breeding Habits:__**
 * Source 1:http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/wildlife/SEALS/ross.shtml
 * Source 2:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_Seal ||  ||
 * **__Activity:__**
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 * **Adaptations:**
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 * **Threats: Leopard Seal killer whale** ||  ||
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 * **Other Facts:** there young are called pups they live for 20 years * **Ross seals were named after the British polar explorer Sir James Ross, who first discovered them in 1840.**
 * **Ross Seals are very rarely seen, as they live deep within the consolidated pack-ice.**
 * **Ross seals have a very distinctive "siren-like" call and when approached they often arch their backs and raise their heads to a nearly vertical posture.** ||  ||
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