AnAge entry for Leptonychotes weddellii

Classification (HAGRID: 02225)

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Carnivora
                Family: Phocidae
                    Genus: Leptonychotes
Species: Leptonychotes weddellii
Common name: Weddell seal
Synonyms: Leptonychotes weddelli, Otaria weddellii

Maximum longevity: Not yet established
Observations: The total gestation time probably includes a period of delayed implantation [0443]. In the wild, females have been estimated to live up to 25 years [0542]. Their longevity in captivity has not been studied in detail. Muscular ageing has been observed in wild animals [0905].

No information on metabolism is available.

[1143] Nussey et al. (2013), Senescence in natural populations of animals: widespread evidence and its implications for bio-gerontology (PubMed)
[0905] Hindle et al. (2009), Diving into old age: muscular senescence in a large-bodied, long-lived mammal, the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) (PubMed)
[0443] Ronald Nowak (2003), Walker's Marine Mammals of the World
[0455] Virginia Hayssen et al. (1993), Asdell's Patterns of Mammalian Reproduction: A Compendium of Species-Specific Data
[0542] Bernhard Grzimek (1990), Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals
[0573] David Macdonald (1985), The Encyclopedia of Mammals