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Seals are a perennial attraction on coastal tours, thanks to their unmistakable charm. While the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) is among the most commonly encountered species along North and South America's coasts, the Ross seal (Ommatophoca rossii) remains the rarest and least studied of the Antarctic pinnipeds.
During a recent expedition aboard the National Geographic Resolution, undersea specialist and expedition diver Justin Hofman captured the first underwater photographs of a Ross seal. Sharing the images on Instagram, Hofman noted, “These are likely the first‑ever underwater photos of a Ross seal… In 15 seasons of working in Antarctica, I have only seen two Ross seals, and this is the second.”
One of the most endearing shots shows the seal swimming straight toward the camera, its large eyes fixed on the lens. Fellow diver Ayla Townsend also photographed the animal from the side, revealing its broad neck, streamlined body, and compact flippers.
Townsend went further, releasing the only known video of a Ross seal in action. The clip, posted to her Instagram feed, shows the seal emerging from the ice, gliding into the water, and taking a leisurely swim. She wrote, “I never expected to be able to see a Ross seal, and this underwater moment will forever put a smile on my face. It was so special.”
The rarity of underwater sightings stems from several factors. Ross seals inhabit the cold, ice‑bound waters of Antarctica, primarily breeding on the sea ice beyond 60° S latitude. They account for only about 1 % of the Antarctic seal population and spend the majority of their time foraging, diving to depths of up to 1,000 ft and remaining submerged for over 20 minutes at a time.
Because of their deep‑diving habits and low surface activity, field researchers have limited opportunities to observe them. Consequently, most knowledge about the species comes from sporadic sightings and electronic tracking in regions such as the Amundsen Sea, East Antarctica, and Lazarev Sea.
Ross seals are the smallest true seals in Antarctica, reaching up to 7.6 ft in length and weighing between 330 and 470 lb. In contrast, the largest Antarctic seals—the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) and the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii)—can grow to 12 ft and 10 ft, respectively, and weigh up to 840 lb and 880 lb.
These animals are typically solitary, with females nursing their pups for as little as 13 days. Their large, 2.75‑inch eyes and prominent pupils aid navigation and prey detection in the dim, icy waters where they thrive. On the ice, they can be spotted resting or molting, offering rare glimpses of their day‑to‑day life.
