Mammals
Ross Seal
Ommatophoca rossii · also called big-eyed seal
Drifting alone amid the densest Antarctic pack ice, a Ross seal occasionally arches its neck and inflates its throat to release a loud, warbling call, its unusually large eyes suited to hunting squid and fish deep beneath the ice in near-total darkness.
Overview
The Ross seal, Ommatophoca rossii, is a solitary pinniped native to ocean and polar habitat surrounding Antarctica, particularly within dense pack ice zones. Its unusually large eyes, distinctive warbling call, and status as one of the least studied seal species make it one of the more mysterious marine mammals found anywhere in the Southern Ocean.
A seal that keeps its distance
While many seal species gather in large, noisy colonies, the Ross seal has taken the opposite path, living a largely solitary life deep within some of the most remote and inaccessible pack ice on Earth, far from the reach of most research efforts.
Status
Least Concern, though population trends remain poorly documented given the difficulty of surveying such a solitary species across remote, heavily ice-covered habitat.
Ross Seal: common questions
Why does the Ross seal have such large eyes?
This species has notably large eyes relative to its head size, an adaptation thought to help it hunt effectively in the dim light found deep beneath thick Antarctic pack ice, where visibility is naturally limited.
What does the Ross seal's call sound like?
This species arches its neck and inflates its throat to produce loud, warbling, siren-like calls, one of the more distinctive and unusual vocalisations documented among seal species.
Why is the Ross seal so poorly studied?
This species is considered one of the least studied seals in the world, largely because its solitary habits and preference for remote, heavy pack ice keep it far from research stations and regular human observation.
Does the Ross seal live in groups like other seals?
No, this species is typically found alone rather than in groups, unlike many other seal species that gather in large colonies on land or ice for breeding or resting.