Population Population threats At present the Leopard seal faces no major threats but there are several factors of concern for their future, including increasing disturbance from tourism, the spread of disease, commercial harvesting of krill, and probably of most importance, the unknown effects of climate change. Ecological niche As apex predators, these seals play an important role feeding on the large animals of the extreme Antarctic system, thus controlling their populations.
Fun Facts for Kids When diving, a Leopard seal's nose closes automatically and stays shut until it surfaces. The Leopard seal gets its name from its spotted coat pattern. These seals travel widely, some even going as far to the north as the coasts in the south parts of South America and South Africa. They are regularly seen around New Zealand.
Leopard seals are second only amongst seal species to elephant seals in terms of size. Leopard seals have unique cheek teeth that are shaped to allow them to strain krill from the water. Their loose jaw can open as far as degrees.
These seals swim so fast they can "jump" out of the sea onto the edge of the ice to get prey such as penguins. Leopard seals, like sea lions, have large front flippers with which they steer and move through the water.
References 1. Included in Lists Mammals of Australia. Mammals of South Africa. Mammals of Brazil. Mammals of Chile.
Related Animals Elephant Seal. Gray Seal. Harbor Seal. Harp Seal. Ribbon Seal. Least Concern Extinct. Current Population Trend: Unknown.
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Change cookie preferences Accept all cookies. Skip to content. Read later. You don't have any saved articles. By Emily Osterloff. When you think of seals, a moon-faced, snow white harp seal pup may come to mind. What do leopard seals eat?
Leopard seals and penguins Leopard seals are mainly found around Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands. Is sharing really caring?
Human interactions with leopard seals When humans and leopard seals come face-to-face, our interactions don't always go well. A secretive species The leopard seal's Antarctic habitat usually keeps this species far away from prying human eyes. Oceans What on Earth? What on Earth? Just how weird can the natural world be? Explore the unusual.
Discover oceans Find out more about life underwater and read about the pioneering work of the Museum's marine scientists. Dive in. Read more. Northern elephant seals once teetered on the brink of extinction.
Now they are bouncing back. No other marine mammal has displayed this behaviour. How much do you know about slow-moving, seagrass-munching manatees? Don't miss a thing. They are perhaps the greatest wanderers of the Antarctic seals with sightings in Tasmania and a northern record at Heron Island. Heron Island is a subtropical island in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef — quite some distance from the Antarctic! They may occupy some sub-Antarctic islands year-round including Heard Island.
In the winter months, young leopard seals from the south visit Macquarie Island. The only natural predator of leopard seals is the killer whale.
An observation of a male elephant seal having killed a leopard seal at Heard Island has been reported, however, this is likely to be an uncommon occurrence.
Our researchers are interested in the factors that drive the cyclic nature of the occurrence of leopard seals at Macquarie Island and Tasmania, and are studying seal movements within the pack-ice zone. Conservation status: least concern. Because leopard seals are solitary animals that live in the Antarctic pack ice, little is known of their biology.
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