Annual Cycle of The Weddell Seal in The Vestfold Hills, Antarctica

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Abstract
Weddell seals, Leptonychotes weddelli, were observed in the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica, from February 1963 until March 1964, by members of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions. Some seals were marked, enabling data to be gathered on their annual cycle. During the short summer a few seals were found molting on the mainland beaches, while a decrease in numbers occurred throughout the winter. In spring the seals reappeared, and the observed pupping season was from 14 October to late November. Between 150 and 200 seals are born annually. Female seals hauled out and pupped within 24 hours. Among 60 newborn pups examined 32 were females and 28 males. Pups could swim at 4 weeks, and were weaned at 6 weeks. Two weeks after weaning the pups and mothers separated. The mortality of the pups was extremely low. The louse, Antarctophthirus ogmorhini (Enderlein, 1906), was not found on young pups until after they had attained their adult coat. Some male seals were absent from the area until after the peak of the pupping in the last week of October. Following the breakup of the breeding colonies in December, no concentrations of seals were found until the following spring.

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