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Weddell World: Dive Paths of Weddell Seals

Weddell World: Dive Paths of Weddell Seals. Kiersten Madden Fall 2002 CE 394. The Weddell Seal. Large, predatory marine mammals 3 meters long, 400-500 kg Adapted to hunt in shore-fast and pack ice habitats of Antarctica Normally dives are less than 25 minutes long

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Weddell World: Dive Paths of Weddell Seals

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  1. Weddell World: Dive Paths of Weddell Seals Kiersten Madden Fall 2002 CE 394

  2. The Weddell Seal • Large, predatory marine mammals • 3 meters long, 400-500 kg • Adapted to hunt in shore-fast and pack ice habitats of Antarctica • Normally dives are less than 25 minutes long • Variety of prey (narrow range in Antarctica)

  3. Weddell World

  4. The Project • Investigate the behavioral and energetic adaptations that enable seals to dive in fast-ice • Examine the underwater behavior, locomotor performance, and energy metabolism during foraging • Previous technology has made it difficult to study • Attach a small video system and data logger • Seals are released from an isolated ice hole

  5. Video System and Data Logger • Video Images • Time • Depth • Swimming Speed (using a Flowmeter) • Bearing • Water Temperature • Stomach Temperature • Ambient Sound

  6. 3-dimensional Dive PathOops! Why is the seal diving up?

  7. Seal 16: Normal Dive Path

  8. Seal 16: She caught a fish!

  9. Seal 16: She caught another fish!

  10. Adding Animation

  11. Conclusions • 3-dimensional dive paths combined with video are a very effective method for studying the predatory behaviors of seals • Prolonged gliding occurred in dives exceeding 80 meters • Reduces the energetic costs of diving • Vision is most important to the seal’s hunting ability • Uses backlighting to help visualize prey

  12. Future Endeavors • Add animation to the dive paths • Mapping Weddell World • Apply to the Stellar Sea Lions of Alaska

  13. Acknowledgements • Lee Fuiman, University of Texas, Marine Science Institute • Terrie Williams, University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Biology • Venkatesh Merwade

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