15 December 2014 Weddell seal sounds

Journal

Sound flags — This journal is brought to you by:

Ms. Allen and Ms. Boccuzzi’s 3rd grade students at Germantown Elementary
Ms. Gwendolyn Calleo’s Pre-k class at Georgian Hills Elementary Crosswind Elementary Students:
Ashton Boyle in 2nd grade
Maeve Allen in 2nd grade at Crosswind Elementary
Reese Webber in 4th grade at Crosswind Elementary
Lucas Boyle in Kindergarten at Crosswind Elementary

Mrs. Shadensack’s and the 100th class at Immaculate Conception in Illinois
Taelyn McChriston
Bricks & Minifigs of Arlington, TN
Emma, Ella, and Chad Higdon of Hernando, MS
Alice Higdon
Gracie McDuffy
Kaleigh Gardner
Derek Gardner III
Connor Gillespie
Carter Gillespie
Katelyn Gardner
Gage McDuffy

Sounds of the Weddell Seal

Since exploration began in Antarctica, explorers and scientists have been in awe of the sounds of the Weddell seal. In 1820, James Weddell (who the Weddell seal is named after) said that he heard a ‘mermaid…making a musical noise.’

That ‘mermaid’ was none other than a Weddell seal!

You’d think a picture of a Weddell seal making sounds would include a photo of a seal with its mouth open.

Like this...

Seal pup crying — Seal pup making some noise. Photo credit: Alex Eilers, MMPA permit #17411.

But most of the unique sounds I’ve heard have come from seals looking like this...

Sleeping!?!

Of all the seal species, Weddell seals are the most vocal. Scientists have identified and named 34 different types of Weddell seal sounds. We hear them talking quite a bit. Sometimes they are so loud that you can hear them under the ice!

But what are they saying?

Most Weddell seal calls are used during social activities, like breeding. During breeding season, you can hear up to 20 calls per minute! Male Weddell seals are much more vocal than the females. Some calls are used to attract a female; others are to threaten another male. After the breeding season, they are much quieter.