Image by adege on Pixabay · Pixabay License
Species
Least ConcernRoss seal
Species
- PhylumChordata
- ClassMammalia
- OrderCarnivora
- FamilyPhocidae
Habitatmarine
via IUCN
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Ommatophoca rossii (Ross Seal), off Wilkes Land, Antarctica 1.jpg
Show 6 more facts
- taxon name
- Ommatophoca rossii
- Commons category
- Ommatophoca rossii
- Commons gallery
- Ommatophoca rossii
- taxon author citation
- J.E. Gray, 1844
- short name
- O. rossii
- taxon common name
- Ross Seal
Sources (2)
via Wikidata · CC0
~9 min read
Article
The Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii) is a true seal (family Phocidae) with a range confined entirely to the pack ice of Antarctica. It is the only species of the genus Ommatophoca. First described during the Ross expedition in 1841, it is the smallest, least abundant and least well known of the Antarctic pinnipeds. Its distinctive features include disproportionately large eyes, whence its scientific name (Ommato- meaning "eye", and phoca meaning "seal"), and complex, trilling and siren-like vocalizations. Ross seals are brachycephalic as they have a short broad muzzle, and also have shorter fur than any other seal.
Taxonomy and evolution
Gallery (2)
Connections
Odobenidae
Entity
Phocinae
Entity
elephant seal
Entity
Hyaenidae
Entity
Phocidae
Entity
sea lion
Entity
Mediterranean Monk Seal
Entity
Arctocephalus
Entity
Arctoidea
Entity
Lobodontini
Entity
Pinnipedimorpha
Entity
Otarioidea
Entity
Australia
Country
dog
Entity
Cat
Concept
Animalia
Entity
Antarctica
Entity
lion
Entity
fish
Entity
tiger
Entity