Leopard Seal
Hydrurga leptonyx
Conservation Status
Least ConcernMammalia · Carnivora · Phocidae
About
The leopard seal, also referred to as the sea leopard, is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic. It is a top order predator, feeding on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, fish, and birds, particularly penguins. Its only natural predator is the orca. It is the only species in the genus Hydrurga. Its closest relatives are the Ross seal, the crabeater seal, and the Weddell seal, which are all Antarctic seals of the tribe Lobodontini.
Fun Fact
Leopard seals are one of the few seals that regularly hunt warm-blooded prey, including penguins and other seals, and they shake their prey violently at the surface to tear off bite-sized pieces.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Antarctic pack ice and sub-Antarctic islands
Diet
Carnivore
Lifespan
20-26 years
Threats
- Contaminant Accumulation
- Shipping Routes