The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), also referred to as the sea leopard, is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the southern elephant seal).Its only natural predator is the killer whale. Appearance: Mottled, dark grey on back, lighter on belly.. How do Leopard Seals hunt? Leopard seals are lighter on their bellies and darker on their backs with spots, which give them their leopard name. The leopard seal is found on the pack ice flows of Antarctica. The males are faintly larger as compared to females. Leopard seals are solitary animals whose natural habitat is Antarctic pack ice, but some have been found as far north as the NSW Mid North Coast. However, as the name implies, it is far more leopard than seal in temperament. Their spotted bodies are large and muscular and can weigh from 200 kg up to 600 kg. Habitat/Diet. The leopard seal exhibits pale grey color from the stomach while the back is pure black. Length: 2.5-3.5 metres. They seasonally haul out to islands nearer the continent in the summer months and return to the subantarctic islands when the ice expands. Leopard seals are true seals and get their name from the spots that cover their fur. Leopard seals make their homes in the Southern Ocean, water that surrounds the continent of Antarctica -- this is their natural habitat. The leopard seal lives in the cold waters of the Antarctic region, although some young seals travel further north … Leopard, also called panther, large cat closely related to the lion, tiger, and jaguar. Sep 17, 2014 - Explore Bonnie Cook's board "LETHAL LEOPARD SEALS", followed by 1468 people on Pinterest. Leopard Seal Habitat. They are very strong animals and they tend to take over the areas where they reside. The leopard seal also referred to as the sea leopard, is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the southern elephant seal). The length of these seals can range from 2.4 to 3.5 meters, making them almost … Habitat. However, they are protected by the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, and could soon face threats to their survival from climate change as global warming melts the sea ice of their habitat. Unlike other seals, the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) of the Antarctic feeds largely on penguins, seabirds, and other seals, in addition to fish and krill.The main predators of seals are killer whales, polar bears, leopard seals, large sharks, and human beings. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), also known as the sea leopard, is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic, after the southern elephant seal.Its only natural predators are the killer whale and possibly the elephant seal.It feeds on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, birds and fish. Facts about Leopard Seals 2: the male and female leopard seals. Their lives revolve around fidelity to … They spend most of their time in the water. This is its year-round home. Leopard seals, Hydrurga leptonyx (Blainville, 1820), are large and impressive members of the seal family reaching between 2.41-3.38 m in length and weighing between 200-591 kg. Leopard Seal facts - Basics. The scientific name for the leopard seal is Hydruga leptonyx which literally translates as “small clawed water worker”. Let's find out and explore Leopard seal … They have been documented taking a wide range of prey. The length of the leopard seals measure around 2.4 – 3.5 meters (8.4 – 11.7 feet). They are dark gray in color and can weigh up to 1,300 pounds. The body of male and female leopard seals is in different size. Leopard seals prey on a variety of species, including krill, penguins, birds, fish, seals and cephalopods. They are the only seals known to regularly hunt and kill warm-blooded prey, including other seals. Antarctic Habitats: The Leopard Seal Copy the image of the seal below and add some features of its habitat (where it lives). Here we report on the successful use of micro geolocation logging sensor tags to track the movements, and activity, of four leopard seals for trips of between 142–446 days including one individual in two separate years. The Leopard Seal is the second largest of all seals out there. The leopard seal is an earless seal which is second in size only to the southern elephant seal. As the penguin or seal swims to shore, the leopard seal … Leopard seals are pagophilic (ice-loving). They play a central role in Antarctic ecosystems and as one of the biggest and strongest predators found in the Southern Ocean. Pack ice is normally found in the habitats of leopard seals so that they can haul out. The diet of a particular Leopard Seal depends on its size. Weight: 200–600 kg. The pattern is similar to that of the famous big cat, though the seal's coat is gray rather than golden in color. It is likely that they are opportunistic in that they prey on whatever is readily available. Leopard seals make their homes in the Southern Ocean, water that surrounds the continent of Antarctica -- this is their natural habitat. Reproduction. Leopard seals can live up to 26 years in the wild. Facts about Leopard Seals 3: the weight and length. Leopard seals have the weight of 440 to 1,320 lb or 200 to 600 kg. Their massive bodies have large heads and long broad foreflippers. Leopard seals are an important Antarctic apex predator that can affect marine ecosystems through local predation. The leopard seal lives exclusively around the waters of Antarctica. They are solitary, only coming together in small groups to breed. Diet: Penguins, other species of seal, krill, squid, fish. Leopard Seals are mammals in Additional Creatures. You can copy the ones in the column to … Leopard Seal Facts: Introduction. They can also be about 11 feet long. Population Leopard seals might also hunt penguins, fish, and cephalopods. Habitat Leopard seals haul out on ice and on land, often preferring ice floes near shore when they are available. Leopard seals live in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters of the Ross Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands. But, it will migrate within that overall region. Leopard Seal – Hydrurga leptonyx Description. However, on average, it weighs around 840 pounds. They do not live on land. Location: The Antarctic plus southern hemisphere shorelines. Leopard seals are solitary, and widely dispersed at low densities throughout the circumpolar Antarctic pack ice (Fig. They do not live on land. Leopard seals are widely distributed in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters of the Southern Hemisphere, occurring from the coast of the Antarctic continent northward throughout the pack ice and at most sub-Antarctic islands. This species is well known as one of the top predators at the Antarctic ice edge.Though it is not the largest seal in its range (the southern elephant seal is much larger), the leopard Seal’s willingness to attack large prey has given it a reputation of being a very aggressive hunter and excellent swimmer. When a leopard seal has eaten but still wants to play, they may seek out penguins or young seals. That holds true due to the fact that it lives exclusively in the extremely cold waters of Antarctica. See more ideas about leopard seal, leopard, animals. Leopard seals are well known in Antarctic waters for their impressive hunting skills. Once captured … Continue reading "Predator & Prey" The beautiful bet deadly Leopard Seal inhabits a particularly inhospitable part of the world. Name: Leopard Seal, Sea Leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx). In sub-Antarctic Islands such as South Georgia the birth season is August to September. The leopard seal is named for its black-spotted coat. Seals are carnivores, eating mainly fish, though some also consume squid, other mollusks, and crustaceans. Mating occurs between November and February in leopard seal populations. Leopard Seal Habitat: Do Leopard Seals live in Antarctica? A leopard seal, or sea leopard, has been spotted a couple of times in the past month on Bream Bay beaches - far from the cold waters of its usual frozen habitat. The leopard seal weighs around 200 – 600 kg (440 – … Sometimes they are found along the southern coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Leopard seals are a “Least Concern” species, and it is estimated that there are at least 100,000 and may be over 200,000 of these animals throughout Antarctica. 1 Synopsis 2 Color Regions 3 Base Stats, Controls, and Abilities 4 Notes/Trivia This species of Leopard Seal is several times larger than any modern species. Leopard seals will often patrol penguin colonies in anticipation of penguins approaching or leaving the zone. The leopard seal's habitat overlaps that of other seals. 10. Males will vocalise to attract a mate. They have very large heads and large, long front flippers, which they use to propel themselves through the water and sharp teeth. This includes most species of penguins as well as other seal species and krill. It varies greatly in size and markings. Habitat and Distribution. Weight: Males up to 300 kg / females 260 - 500 kg. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), also referred to as the sea leopard, is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the southern elephant seal).It is second only to the killer whale among Antarctica's top predators, feeding on large animals like penguins and smaller seals as … The leopard seal can grow from a length range of 7.9 to 11.5 feet and a weight range of 440 to 1,320 pounds. They mate in … Leopard Seal Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology. Conservation status: Least Concern. Dark spots are generally arranged in rosettes over much of the body and without the central spot characteristics of … However, the species has been sighted as far afield as South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Get up close and personal with leopard seals in Antarctica and learn why they’re at the top of their food chain.

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