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Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing Ross seals. These pinnipeds are some of the least known seals. They’re rarely seen due to preferred habitats which means they’re rarely photographed or discussed in documentaries, so many people aren’t even aware of their existence! Ross seals live on the ice pack of Antarctica during their pupping season in November. During this time, they can only be reached by icebreakers which are massive ships designed specifically to break through ice! Ross seals also spend a lot of their time out at open sea, but only in the cold waters surrounding the continent of Antarctica where many folks do not travel. On top of their difficult to reach location, these mammals don't form large breeding colonies and even their nursing pups are seen swimming between ice floes, so if you haven’t ever heard of a Ross seal, this is likely why!

Ross seals have huge eyes, the biggest in relation to body size compared to all other Antarctic seals, at the same time, these seals have a thick neck which makes the giant eyes less obvious. Ross seals are countershaded with their back appearing darker in color than their belly. They are blunt nosed, giving them a snub nosed appearance compared to other Antarctic seals, and they often sport a few streaks around their neck although they typically don’t have the drastic spotting seen in other seal species. It’s believed that Ross seals have large eyes for finding prey in dim light. They mainly eat squids which they catch with needle-like teeth that help them hold on to slippery prey, but they also eat fish and krill. Predators to Ross seals likely include leopard seals and killer whales, however they’re rarely seen with scars indicating they deal with attacks from these animals frequently. It’s likely that their habitat makes them less accessible to these predators. Much like polar bears, Ross seals would be heavily impacted by changes in pack ice which are caused by the global climate crisis we currently face.

Sexual dimorphism isn’t largely present in Ross seal populations, although some sources indicate that females are slightly larger than males which is somewhat abnormal for pinnipeds. On average, these vertebrates reach about six and a half feet (2 m) long and 385 pounds (175 kg) in weight. Ross seal pups are only a tenth of that weight when born and take only a month to wean! Gestation in these mammals is nearly twelve months but implantation of the egg in the uterus is delayed so the babies are born at the most optimal time, which is summer in the southern hemisphere. Adults all go through an annual molt like many seal species in which their skin and fur is shed. This occurs in January to February, shortly after the pupping season. Outside of these seasons, Ross seals spend most of their time at sea sometimes reaching as far north as southern Australia islands, although sightings here are rare.

Ross seals are believed to live at least 20 years in the wild, but very little is known about them due to difficulties in studying them. Although there are scientific outposts in Antarctica, the seals don't live near any field stations, so they’re rarely observed. One of their most iconic poses, however, leads to their other common name. Ross seals are also known as singing seals because they take on a defensive stance where their mouth is opened and facing the sky, their chest pushed out and proud. Ironically, they rarely make noise during this pose unless they’re approached! 

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