Animals

Fur Seal

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Fur Seal's
The Antarctic has many unique animals like the Fur Seal. This amazing creature feeds mostly on krill, squid and fish. They will also sometimes eat small birds. Female Fur Seals can live up to 20 years but males, only up to 15 years. Male Fur Seals are about two metres in length and can weigh an average of 188 kilograms. The females are only 1.5 metres in length and roughly weigh an average of 50 kilograms. Fur Seals live a partial life in the sea but most of their life is spent on land. The Antarctic Fur Seal is able to survive in the harsh Antarctic conditions because of their thick layer of blubber. Predators of the Fur Seal include Killer Whales and Leopard Seals.

Leopard Seal

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The Leopard Seal
Considered to be one of the most ferocious mammals in Antarctica, the Leopard Seal is a monster to most Antarctic animals. Its only known natural predator is the Killer Whale. The Leopard Seal eats mainly; penguins, seals, krill, large fish, crustaceans and squid. These Antarctic beasts weigh up to 454 kilograms and can reach an astounding 3.5 metres long. Like most Antarctic animals the Leopard Seal also has a very thick layer of blubber which it relies on to keep it alive in the freezing Antarctic waters and on the dry, barren land.

Emperor Penguin

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An Emperor Penguin
These curious, flightless birds are one of the most recognisable animals in the whole of Antarctica. They can live up to about 40 years and weigh about an average of 40 kilograms. The Emperor Penguin's diet consists mainly of krill, squid and other small fish. However, they also have predators. The main ones being; leopard seals, sharks and killer whales. Some birds like the skua also prey on young chicks and eggs. The Emperor Penguin, like the Fur Seal and Leopard Seal, also has a thick layer of blubber that even the Antarctic wind can't penertrate.