Subscribe
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Menu
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events

Weddell Seals

in News
Megan Paulsonby Megan Paulson
January 13, 2014

A bellwether

By Emily Wolfe Explore Big Sky Managing Editor

Weddell Seal pups are born during the Antarctic spring, when it’s usually around -10 F, dry and windy. Their birthing grounds are farther south than those of any other mammal.

Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad Article Inline Ad

Having spent winter 150 miles north in the Ross Sea feeding on fish, octopus and krill, the mothers are 1,000-1,200 pounds when they give birth – or about the weight of a horse, says biologist and Montana State University professor Jay Rotella, who leads a study on the animals.

Holding their breath for up to an hour, they swim long distances south beneath the frozen sea ice along the continent, using tide cracks to breathe. They return to the same colony each year.

Lead researcher Jay Rotella (left), with PhD students Glenn Stauffer and Thierry Chambert, using a mother seal’s tag numbers to look up her age and reproductive history on a field computer. PHOTO BY JESSICA FARRER

Their largest predator, Orcas, cannot swim as long beneath the ice, so when the mothers haul out to give birth, their pups are safe during the 4-6 weeks it takes them to nurse and learn to swim. When the pups are weaned, the females return to the water and breed.

Only about 20 percent of pups survive to breeding age – 7 or 8. Those that do may live into their teens and 20s, Rotella said, noting that the oldest recorded animal is 33.

The Ross Sea is perhaps the most pristine area of ocean on Earth, and although the seals aren’t endangered, studying them gives scientists “bellwethers that tell us [if] this last best place in the ocean is having problems,” Rotella said.

Don Siniff, of the University of Minnesota, initiated this study in 1967. Rotella and Bob Garrott took the project over in 2001. Find more at weddellsealscience.com.

Both photos here were obtained under NMFS Permit No. 17236.

Outlaw Realty Outlaw Realty
Outlaw Realty
ADVERTISEMENT

Listen

Hoary Marmot Podcast

Joe Borden & Michele Veale Borden

Lastest Episode
See More Episodes

Upcoming Events

Jun 27
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

Jun 27
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The Bo Show

Jun 27
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Music in the Mountains: John Papa Gros

Jun 27
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm Event Series

Trivia at the Waypoint

Jun 28
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Event Series

June Show at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery

View Calendar
Event Calendar

Related Posts

Big Sky Community Food Bank looks ahead to summer opportunities, reflects on pandemic challenges
Local

Big Sky Community Food Bank looks ahead to summer opportunities, reflects on pandemic challenges

June 26, 2025
Museum of the Rockies fundraiser June 26 to support access for underserved Montana children and families
News

Museum of the Rockies fundraiser June 26 to support access for underserved Montana children and families

June 23, 2025
Construction to start July 7 on 19th Avenue in Bozeman
News

Construction to start July 7 on 19th Avenue in Bozeman

June 18, 2025
Gallatin County Commission adopts safe roads action plan 
News

Gallatin County Commission adopts safe roads action plan 

June 17, 2025

An Outlaw Partners Publication

Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Youtube

Explore Big Sky

  • About/Contact
  • Advertise
  • Publications
  • Subscriptions
  • Podcast
  • Submissions

Outlaw Brands

  • Mountain Outlaw
  • Plan Yellowstone
  • Big Sky PBR
  • Wildlands Music
  • Outlaw Partners
  • Outlaw Realty
  • Hey Bear

Copyright © 2025 Explore Big Sky | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Choices

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Yellowstone
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Real Estate
  • Events

©2024 Outlaw Partners, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Explore Big Sky Logo
  • News
    • Local
    • Regional
    • Business
    • Real Estate
    • Outlaw Partners
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Yellowstone
  • Events
Subscribe
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Youtube