Ommatophoca – Ross seal

Perhaps the most mysterious of all Antarctic seals—rarely seen, little studied, and full of quirks that set it apart from its icy cousins. Unlike the well-known weddell, crabeater, or leopard seals, the ross seal lives a secretive life deep in the remote pack ice of Antarctica, far from human eyes. It is also the smallest of the Antarctic true seals, usually measuring around 2–2.5 meters (6.5–8 feet) long and weighing 200–220 kilograms (440–480 pounds).

In appearance, ross seals are striking. Their bodies are compact, with a short, broad snout and large, dark eyes that seem oversized for their face—perfect for spotting prey in the dim Antarctic waters. Their coat is sleek and silvery, with dark gray to black backs and lighter, sometimes creamy bellies. Many individuals also show elegant pale striping along their neck and sides, almost like faint brushstrokes. Their shorter, stockier build compared to other Antarctic seals gives them a unique, somewhat chunky charm.

What truly sets the Ross seal apart, though, is its vocal talent. It produces some of the most bizarre and beautiful sounds of any seal—long, haunting whistles, trills, and siren-like calls that echo through the icy wilderness. These sounds, often described as “otherworldly” or “science-fiction-like,” are used for communication during the breeding season and can travel long distances through the dense Antarctic ice. Scientists have called the Ross seal one of the “songsters of the Southern Ocean.”