Head to head
Ross Seal vs Weddell Seal
Ross Seal
VS Weddell Seal
Both seals live year-round around Antarctica, but one keeps almost entirely to itself while the other pushes the limits of diving and southern breeding.
| Ross Seal | Weddell Seal | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ommatophoca rossii | Leptonychotes weddellii |
| Social behaviour | Mostly solitary | More social, forms breeding colonies |
| Distinguishing feature | Unusually large eyes and warbling calls | Extraordinarily deep, long dives beyond 600 m |
| Habitat preference | Dense pack ice further from open water | Fast ice attached to the Antarctic continent |
| Notable record | One of the least studied seal species | The southernmost-breeding mammal on Earth |
| Dental wear | Not documented | Wears down teeth scraping ice breathing holes |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Ocean, polar | Polar, ocean |
Ross Seal vs Weddell Seal: common questions
Which one is more solitary?
The Ross seal is the more solitary of the two, typically found alone in dense pack ice, while the Weddell seal is more social and forms breeding colonies on fast ice.
Which one is known for extreme dives?
The Weddell seal is the extreme diver, capable of diving below 600 metres and remaining submerged for over an hour, a performance not specifically documented for the Ross seal.
Which one has unusually large eyes?
The Ross seal has unusually large eyes relative to its head size, thought to help it hunt in dim light beneath thick pack ice, a feature not highlighted in the Weddell seal.