• Wildlife
  • Animals
    • Sounds of Antarctic wildlife
    • Adapting to the cold
    • Fish
    • Flying birds
    • Krill
    • Land invertebrates
    • Penguins
    • Salps
    • Seabed (benthic) communities
    • Seals and sea lions
    • Sponges
    • Squid
    • Whales
  • Plants
  • Microscopic organisms
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Sounds of Antarctic wildlife

A collection of sounds from around Mawson station.

Seals

Underwater vocalisations

These are calls that Weddell seals make underwater during the breeding season. The crackling sound in the background is the sea ice breaking and cracking. Long high whistle falling in tone [mp3] Repeated chirps [mp3] A single, slowly descending tone [mp3] A series of descending chirps [mp3]

Yawns and breathing

Weddell seal in hole in sea ice Photo: D. McVeigh

These were recorded above water, near the seals' breathing holes. Weddell seal breathing [mp3] - holding its nostrils just above the water A Weddell seal yawning [mp3] as it rests on the ice

Weddell seal yawning Photo: Christopher Clarke

Penguins

Two species of penguins - Emperors and Adelies - are commonly found near Mawson, with quite different-sounding calls.

Auster Rookery Photo: Tony Bojkovski Emperor penguins at Auster Rookery [mp3] - chick's call is short and high pitched, adult's call is longer and deeper

Adelie squabble Photo: Camilla Stark Adelie penguin squabble [mp3] on Bechervaise Island

Emperor penguin at Auster Photo: Ivor Harris An Emperor penguin sneeze [mp3]