Even the hottest desert in the world sees more rain than the Dry Valleys (photo), a region in Antarctica. This is primarily because the harsh environment of the Antarctic region is impossible to survive in for almost any terrestrial being. These seals are the smallest of the four Antarctic seal species, weighing only 216 kilograms. They are pinnepeds, or "fin-feet," like sea lions and walruses. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is an earless seal with leopard-spotted fur. The average foraging dive lasts about 4 minutes at goes to a depth of about 30 metres. Blue Eyed /. Giant Petrels. It was the first expedition to reach the South Pole. Despite what its name suggests, the Antarctic fur seal is mostly distributed in Subantarctic islands and its scientific name is thought to have come from the German vessel SMS Gazelle, which was the first to collect specimens of this species from Kerguelen Islands. Seals are part of the pinniped order of marine mammals, which also includes sea lions, walruses and fur seals. Seals have a layer of fat under skin … Fur Seal. The smallest seals in Antarctica, the Southern fur seal is actually closely related to dogs and sea lions. In the case of any impending danger, the male Antarctic seals expand their snouts apart from emanating roaring noises. This polar species feeds on fish, squid, and small creatures called krill in the icy waters off Antarctica. This continent is the driest place on the planet. This helps them to catch prey such as fish and squid. They’ll eat about a ton of krill a year. Within four years of their discovery in 1819, over 320,000 fur seal pelts were taken from the south shetland islands. The researchers surveyed the ice sheet and mountains from a U.S. Air National Guard LC-130 aircraft.Next week, NASA's Operation IceBridge will kick off a new season of monitoring ice sheets, glaciers and sea ice. Unlike sea lions, their front fins and hind fins are identical in form. The best Antarctica facts for kids on the internet. Imperial Shags. One of the most interesting facts about Antarctica is the contradiction between the dry climate and the amount of water (70% of the water on Earth). Afterwards, sled dogs were kept and used in Antarctica for years. Crabeater seal ( Lobodon carcinophaga ) The Crabeater Seal’s teeth are used to filter Krill from the water. Seals have more blood in their body than other animals. There are 33 species of seals found throughout the world. Well known animals that live in Antarctica include penguins and seals. Well-known for being excellent divers, Weddell seals can stay under water for as long as 80 minutes. 1. Like other Antarctica seals, Fur seals don’t have layers of fat. The Crabeater Seal is a pale ... Leopard seal ( Hydrurga leptonyx ) Ross Seal ( Ommatophoca rossii ) Southern Elephant Seal ( Mirounga leonine ) When they dive, they decrease the heart rate for 50-80%. Why are the White Island Weddell seals special? Seal can hold its breath for 2 hours which is a record in the animal world. Another of the seals on this Antarctic animals list is the Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii), distributed in a circumpolar way throughout the Antarctic continent. Instead, fur seals rely on their extremely thick fur coat to keep their bodies warm.