Its time to solve "Antarctic seal" crossword clue for today's "Wall Street Journal" daily crossword.
Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle
The clue "Antarctic seal" in today's crossword puzzle corresponds to the answer "CRABEATER". This answer is derived from the characteristics and habitat of the specific seal species found in the Antarctic region.
1. Adaptation: The term "CRABEATER" perfectly fits the given clue because it refers to a type of seal that primarily feeds on krill, a small shrimp-like crustacean found abundantly in the Antarctic waters. Although "CRABEATER" may seem misleading at first, it is used as a misnomer because these seals don't actually feed on crabs, but rather consume krill as their main source of sustenance.
2. Habitat: The Antarctic region is home to vast populations of CRABEATER seals. They inhabit the pack ice surrounding the continent and spend a significant portion of their lives in the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean. As the most abundant seal species in the world, CRABEATER seals are well-adapted to survive in extreme cold and have specialized teeth to effectively sieve out the tiny krill from the water.
3. Physical Appearance: CRABEATER seals have slender bodies, with long, narrow heads and snouts that resemble those of true seals. Their whiskers, known as vibrissae, help them detect prey in the water. While their name suggests a diet of crabs, their long, curved teeth are specifically adapted to capture krill, allowing them to filter out water while retaining their primary food source.
4. Behavior: CRABEATER seals are social animals and are often found hauled out on pack ice in large groups. These seals use the pack ice as a platform for resting, nursing their young, and molting. While they are not aggressive towards humans, they may showcase territorial behaviors when it comes to defending their space or offspring.
In conclusion, the crossword clue "Antarctic seal" accurately corresponds to the answer "CRABEATER" due to the seal's habitat, diet, physical characteristics, and behavior in the Antarctic region. By fulfilling these criteria, "CRABEATER" emerges as the most suitable and accurate answer for today's crossword puzzle.
The Crossword clue "Antarctic seal" published 1 time/s & has 1 answer/s.
Crossword | Date | Answer |
Wall Street Journal | 7 August 2018 | CRABEATER |