Top predators

A predator hunts and kills other organisms (prey) for food. Predators are either carnivores (meat eaters), herbivores (plant eaters), or omnivores (meat or plant eaters).

The top predators of the Antarctic ecosystem include whales, penguins, seals, seabirds, fish and squid. Understanding how predators interact with their prey in the Antarctic ecosystem is critical for their future survival.

Scientists will track animal movements using animal-borne video and data recorders that provide unique observations of underwater behaviour. This data will be used to

• reconstruct three dimensional predator movements
• identify critical habitats
• record oceanographic data
• develop an understanding of predator-prey interactions in the context of biodiversity in Antarctica

Data will contribute to a new Southern Ocean observation system (SOOS) and provide an integrated GIS database, a component of the OBIS sea mapping program (SEAMAP).

Weddell Seal by Karen Westwood	Albatross by Luke Finley	Adelie penguins by Ty Hibberd

Dr Diego Rodriguez [PDF] is the coordinator for the top predators working group.

Demonstration projects

Tourist research project [PDF, 149 KB]

Related links

The Penguiness Book is a database with detailed information about the diving depth and duration (average and maximum) of worldwide air-breathing animals (seabirds, marine mammals, reptiles and others).