> At a Glance
> – Justin Hofman captured the first known underwater images of a Ross seal
> – After 15 Antarctic seasons, he has only seen two of these elusive seals
> – The photos were taken during a Lindblad Expeditions voyage aboard National Geographic Resolution
> – Why it matters: These images offer unprecedented insight into one of Antarctica’s most mysterious marine mammals
A wildlife photographer has achieved what many thought impossible-capturing the first underwater photographs of the Ross seal, Antarctica’s most elusive pinniped.
The Breakthrough Moment
During his 15th season in Antarctic waters, Justin Hofman spotted a Ross seal swimming beneath the surface and documented the encounter with his camera. The sighting occurred aboard Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Resolution, which ventured further south than Hofman had previously traveled.
Hofman shared the milestone on Instagram December 26, posting four images that show the seal floating, gliding, and gazing into the deep blue water.
Why Ross Seals Remain a Mystery
Ross seals rank as the smallest and rarest members of the Antarctic true seal family. Their preference for life deep within pack ice south of 60°S latitude keeps them almost entirely out of human view.
Known behaviors include:
- Hunting lanternfish, Antarctic silverfish, and squid in open water
- Diving to nearly 1,000 feet and staying submerged for 20+ minutes
- Living in medium to dense pack ice, making sightings extremely rare
All previous photographs were taken above water on sea ice; none captured the animal in its ocean environment.
A Goal Born of Curiosity
Hofman first learned years ago that no underwater images of Ross seals existed. The possibility of changing that intrigued him, though he considered it a long shot.
> “These are quite likely the first-ever underwater photographs of a Ross seal,” Hofman wrote. “This animal lives so deep within the Antarctic pack ice that its life history is not very well understood, and it is not seen very often.”
The expedition’s unusually southern route and a bit of luck aligned, allowing Hofman to fulfill his curiosity-driven mission.
Key Takeaways
- First underwater photos confirm Ross seals’ oceanic agility
- Images provide new visual evidence for scientists studying the species
- Hofman’s 15-season track record underscores just how infrequent encounters are
The photographs mark a significant leap in visual documentation of an animal that continues to evade easy observation, offering researchers and enthusiasts an unprecedented look beneath the Antarctic surface.
