Wildlife of the World
Puzzle 60 · Polar and Subpolar Worlds · Page 91 in print
Weddell Seal
Weddell seals live around Antarctica’s coasts, resting on sea ice attached to the shore; in winter they rasp breathing holes open with their teeth as fresh ice forms over the water.
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A Weddell seal's whiskered face seen close up.
Species reference for Weddell Seal. The photograph does not necessarily show the population or place named in the puzzle.
(c) Erasmo Macaya Horta, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Original recordImage changes
Resized and converted to JPEG for display; no subject alteration.

A Weddell seal rests on snow.
Species reference for Weddell Seal. The photograph does not necessarily show the population or place named in the puzzle.
(c) Kim, Hyun-tae, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Original recordImage changes
Resized and converted to JPEG for display; no subject alteration.
The words
Antarctic
Weddell seals are found throughout the Antarctic.
Dive
Weddell seals can make long, deep dives while hunting beneath Antarctic ice.
Fast Ice
Sea ice fixed to the shore.
Weddell seals stay around the fast ice.
Ice Cracks
Seals breathe through cracks and holes in the ice.
Ice Hole
Seals stay close to their access hole.
Leopard Seals
Life under the ice keeps it safe from leopard seals.
McMurdo
Weddell seal calls were recorded in McMurdo Sound.
Octopus
Weddell seals eat octopus.
Phocid
Weddell seals are true seals in the family Phocidae.
Prawns
Weddell seals eat prawns.
Toothfish
Weddell seals attack Antarctic toothfish up to 54 kg.
Trilling
Weddell seal calls include trills.
Vestfold Hills
A long-term Weddell seal study in the Vestfold Hills.
Weddell
Weddell seals live around the Antarctic coast.
Worn Teeth
Keeping breathing holes open wears the teeth down.
Sources
- Weddell Seal (source capture)Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
- weddellwww.antarctica.gov.au
- Weddell Seal (source capture)Sci.News (science news site)