The
two methods produced similar body composition estimates, with an average difference of 7%. There were no differences in body
composition between adult males and females or between autumn and late winter. These findings suggest that by autumn, adult seals
have replenished their energy stores following reproduction and molt. Similarly, the absence of seasonal variation in adults indicates that
seals are successfully foraging throughout winter. In addition to providing insight into seasonal and age-related variation in body
composition, this study provides baseline body condition data that can be used to measure impacts of natural or anthropogenic
environmental change on one of the large consumers of Antarctic krill.