Hunting behavior and energetics of free ranging Weddell seals

Do behavioral and energetic adaptations enable Weddell seals to forage in the cold, dark, Antarctic fast-ice environment?
To answer this question, we are testing hypotheses related to general foraging strategy, foraging location, searching mode, prey detection, locomotor performance, the cost of diving and foraging efficiency of free-ranging Weddell seals. In addition, we are examining locomotor performance and behavior during diving to estimate the costs associated with hunting and the benefits gained from hunting. As our primary research tool, we attach a Video Data Aquisition Platform (VDAP) to free-ranging Weddell seals. The VDAP records video images from a head-mounted camera as well as three-dimensional dive tracks, swim speed, heart-rate and tail strokes.

Check out our topic pages on the just completed 2001 Antarctic field season of this project!

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs

Principal Investigators:

• R. Davis and M. Horning (Texas A&M)
• T. Williams (UCSC)
• L. Fuiman (U. Texas)
• I. Boyd (British Antarctic Survey).

PUBLICATIONS
Some papers from this project, as well as additional related publications.

• Williams TM, Fuiman LA, Horning M, Davis R (2004) The cost of foraging by a marine predator, the Weddell seal Leptonychotes weddellii: pricing by the stroke. The Journal of Experimental Biology 207: 973-982. Full text (pdf).
  
  
• Davis RW, Fuiman LA, Williams TM, Horning M, Hagey W. (2003) Classification of Weddell Seal Dives Based on Three-Dimensional Movements and Video Recorded Observations. Marine Ecology Progress Series 264: 109-122. Full text (pdf).
  
  
• Williams TM, Davis RW, Fuiman LA, Francis J, Le Boeuf BJ, Horning M, Calambokidis J, Croll DA (2000) Sink or Swim: Strategies for Cost-Efficient Diving by Marine Mammals. Science 288: 133-136. Full text (pdf).
  
  
• Davis RW, Fuiman LA, Williams TM, Collier SO, Hagey WP, Kanatous SB, Kohin S, Horning M (1999) Hunting Behavior of a Marine Mammal Beneath the Antarctic Fast Ice. Science 283: 993-996. Full text (pdf).
  
  
• Davis RW, Hagey W, Horning M (2004) Monitoring the behavior and multi-dimensional movements of Weddell seals using an animal-borne video and data recorder.
  Memoirs of the National Institute of Polar Research, Special Issue 58: 148-154. Full text (pdf).
  
  
• Castellini MA, Davis RW, Davis MP, Horning M (1984) Antarctic marine life under the McMurdo ice shelf: a link between nutrient influx and seal population. Polar Biology 2 (4): 229-231. Full text (pdf).
  
  

This project is a continuation of a previous project funded by NSF on Weddell seal foraging behavior and energetics. The previous project project was restricted to studying the seals under very controlled conditions, using the so-called "isolated hole" experimental setup. Take a look at some results from the previous and related projects, including 3D dive tracks and video clips. In this continuing project we will work with free-ranging animals instead.

Check out the NSF news clip, as well as the New York Times report on this project.

Check out Cinematographer Norbert Wu's Weddell seal web page.

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