French zoologist Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville described the leopard seal in 1820. [11] Their hearing in air is similar to that of a human, but scientists have noted that leopard seals use their ears in conjunction with their whiskers to track prey under water. [9][10] The whiskers are short and clear. feed on animals like fish, penguins, squid, krill, and even other seals. A leopard (Panthera pardus) watches from above. The Leopard Seal's long body is dark grey to silver with darker grey flippers and spotting on the shoulders, throat and sides. Its only natural predator is the killer whale. [11] In August 2018, an individual was sighted at Geraldton, on the west coast of Australia. Leopard seal facts! [23] Conversely, a female leopard seal can attribute calls to their environment as well; however, usually it is to gain the attention of a pup, after getting back from a forage for food. People often call it sea leopard too. Facts about leopard seals September 13, 2017 September 13, 2017 admintag The leopard seals belongs to the family of true seals. [24] Each male leopard seal produces these individual calls, and can arrange their few call types into individually distinctive sequences (or songs). The leopard seal ( Hydrurga leptonyx) is an earless seal with leopard-spotted fur. [28] Leopard seal pups mortality rate within the first year is close to 25%. leopard seal facts The leopard seal is a fierce predator that primarily. Leopard facts. ", "Seasonal occurrence and diet of leopard seals (, "Leopard seals suck up krill like whales", "An accurate and adaptable photogrammetric approach for estimating the mass and body condition of pinnipeds using an unmanned aerial system", "Summer diving and haul-out behavior of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) near mesopredator breeding colonies at Livingston Island, Antarctic Peninsula", "Leopard Seal Kills Scientist in Antarctica", Inquiry into fatal leopard seal attack begins, National Geographic photographer's surprise encounter with deadly predator, "Leopard Seal - Seal Facts and Information", Best Wildlife Photos of 2005 – "Underwater World" Winner: "Leopard Seal Pass", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leopard_seal&oldid=1003869785, Fauna of Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Taxa named by Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, In 1985, Canadian-British explorer Gareth Wood was bitten twice on the leg when a leopard seal tried to drag him off the ice and into the sea. Quick facts Their mouth is also huge relative to body size. Scientific name: Hydrurga leptonyx 1) Fierce as a leopard Leopard seals are named after their spotty coats and for their reputation of being fearsome hunters. Like most other seals, leopard seals are insulated from frigid waters by a thick layer of fat known as blubber. Though the leopard seal is known for its coat, it has not been commercially hunted for its skin like its fur seal relatives. Their large front flippers are used to steer themselves through the water column making them extremely agile while hunting. Fact 1: The Leopard Seal is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic, after the Southern Elephant Seal. The females are larger than the males, but the male individuals still quite large compared to other types of seals. Previous reports stating the leopard seal skins its prey before feeding have been found to be incorrect. [23] However, scientists have identified five distinctive sounds that male leopard seals make, which include: the high double trill, medium single trill, low descending trill, low double trill, and a hoot with a single low trill. [27] They sighted seal pups from the beginning of November to the end of December, and noticed that there was about one pup for every three adults, and they also noticed that most of the adults were staying away from other adults during this season, and when they were seen in groups they showed no sign of interaction. Southern elephant seal pups are prey for sharks, leopard seals, and sea lions. Female leopard seals are larger than males, and can grow over 3.5 metres long, according to National Geographic. Female: 260 kg (572 lbs.) The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), also referred to as the sea leopard,[3] is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the southern elephant seal). Examples of aggressive behaviour, stalking and attacks have been documented. These effective predators live in frigid Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters, where they also eat penguins. Higher densities of leopard seals are seen in the Western Antarctic than in other regions. Leopard seals use their powerful jaws and long teeth to kill smaller seals, fish, and squid. More specifically, interactions occurring at the ice edge, where leopard seals seek out prey, resulted in the highest response from leopard seals. The coroner recorded a verdict of an accidental death caused by drowning due to a leopard seal attack. [18] Lone male leopard seals hunt other marine mammals and penguins in the pack ice of antarctic waters. It kills the swimming bird by grabbing the feet, then shaking the penguin vigorously and beating its body against the surface of the water repeatedly until the penguin is dead. Like their feline namesakes, leopard seals are fierce predators. Grey Seals are a member of the “true seals” family phocidae. Leopard seals are one of the Antarctic animals our passengers most want to see. Leopard Seal Facts. This species of seal is known for its massive head and jaws that allow it to be one of the top predators in its environment. [34], When hunting penguins, the leopard seal patrols the waters near the edges of the ice, almost completely submerged, waiting for the birds to enter the ocean. [45], Leopard seals have shown a predilection for attacking the black, torpedo-shaped pontoons of rigid inflatable boats, leading researchers to equip their craft with special protective guards to prevent them from being punctured. The male leopard seal does not participate in taking care of the pup, and goes back to its solitary lifestyle after the breeding season. This species lives in the subantarctic regions of the Southern Ocean, it can be found along the entire perimeter of the Antarctic ice. These spots are called “rosettes” because their shape is similar to that of a rose. In sub-Antarctic Islands such as South Georgia the birth season is August to September. Some of the vocalisations made by leopard seals includes grunts and growls. 7 Profound Prion Facts. The male calls can be split into two categories: vocalizing and silencing, in which vocalizing is when they are making noises underwater, and silencing noted as the breathing period at the air surface. [11], Leopard seals are pagophilic ("ice-loving") seals, which primarily inhabit the Antarctic pack ice between 50˚S and 80˚S. [22] The leopard seals have age-related differences in their calling patterns, just like birds. (Animal > Leopard seal ) This generator generates a random fact from a large database on a chosen topic everytime you visit this page. Image by Reinhard Schiemer . Leopard seal – Hydrurga leptonyx . [5][6] The name hydrurga means "water worker" and leptonyx is the Greek for "small clawed". They may also come up beneath seabirds resting on the water surface and snatch them in their jaws. Leopard seal, also called Sea Leopard, (Hydrurga leptonyx), generally solitary, earless seal (family Phocidae) that inhabits Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. Although leopard seals have small claws on their flippers, it’s actually their big teeth that allow them to kill and consume larger prey. The leopard seal is one of the largest seals living in the Antarctic. [11] Most leopard seal breeding is on pack ice. One leopard seal, captured near Sydney, had eaten a fully grown platypus. The Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the Southern Elephant Seal). Males and females will cross territories, but only to mate. feed on animals like fish, penguins, squid, krill, and even other seals. They are the only seals known to regularly hunt warm-blooded prey. Mating takes place in the water, and then the male leaves the female to care for the pup, which the female gives birth to after an average gestation period of 274 days. [20] The Leopard Seal is a solitary animal with the leopard seals only coming together in small groups when it is time to mate. [7] Females are slightly larger than males. In male seals, vocalizing coincides with the timing of their breeding season, which falls between November and the first week of January; captive female seals vocalize when they have elevated reproductive hormones. Where the younger male seals have many different types of variable calls – the adult male seals have only a few, highly stylized calls. Get a peek at the amazing Weddell seal, which can dive 2,000 feet below the chilly waters of the Antarctic and stay under for 45 minutes. Leopard seals are earless seals. [25] The acoustic behavior of the leopard seal is believed to be linked to their breeding behaviour. They have long bodies (10 to 11.5 feet) and elongated heads. Facts about leopard seals September 13, 2017 September 13, 2017 admintag The leopard seals belongs to the family of true seals. A solitary creature named after its distinct spotted fur, the leopard seal is endowed with a large head and wide jaws containing canines measuring up to … This layer of blubber also helps to streamline their body making them more hydrodynamic. When diving, a Leopard seal's nose closes automatically and stays shut until it surfaces. Unlike other seal species, the leopard seals prefer a solitary life. Weight: Males up to 300 kg / females 260 - 500 kg. It feeds on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, birds and fish. [11] While solitary animals may appear in areas of lower latitudes, females rarely breed there. This species is the only member in the genus Hydrurga. There are also black leopards, too, whose spots are hard to see because their fur is so dark. We all have heard about the amazing creature leopard seals observe in and out of the water and play an exceptional role in Antarctic ecosystems. [29], CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (. Underwater Camouflage – Leopard seals come with built-in camouflage, but it only works when they are underwater. This seal is sometimes called the sea leopard, and the resemblance is more than skin deep. leopard seal facts The leopard seal is a fierce predator that primarily. [4] It feeds on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, birds and fish. 2) Predator and prey It is the only pinniped that feeds extensively upon warm-blooded animals. In the wild, leopard seals can live up to 26 years old. Female leopard seals are larger than males, and can grow over 3.5 metres long, according to National Geographic. Their bodies are sinuous and their powerful jaws open widely to show extremely long canine teeth. 5 Leopard Seal Facts. They are primarily shallow divers but they do dive deeper than 80 meters in search for food. They also eat the pups of other seal species including crabeater, Weddell and southern fur seals. Their back is bent, the neck and cranial thoracic region (the chest) is inflated and as they call their chest pulses. They are also known as “earless seals.” Grey Seals are protected in the United States by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Fact 2: Leopard Seals feed on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, krill, birds, fish and other seals. The Leopard Seal, Hydrurga leptonyx is a member of the 'true seal' group, whose locomotion on land is best described as wriggling - a series of muscular body ripples with some assistance from the front flipper Identification. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx, sea leopard). Scientists take blubber thickness, girth, weight, and length measurements of leopard seals to learn about their average weight, health, and population as a whole. 5 Leopard Seal Facts. They have long bodies (10 to 11.5 feet) and elongated heads. A notable key feature of leopard seals are their counter-shaded coats. With very long canine teeth and flexible neck, leopard seal is by far one of the top predators of this area. [30] This might occasionally lead to co-operative hunting. Leopard seal has silver grey or dark grey (nearly black) skin on the back and whitish silver skin on the front side of the body. Antarctic fur seal. Males reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 to 7 years, females at the age of 4 to 6 years. Leopard seal facts! [39] This information is sent to a satellite where scientists from anywhere in the world can collect the data. Unlike other seal species, the leopard seals prefer a solitary life. Leopard Seals are known to attack the black rubber pontoons of inflatable boats, forcing the boat owners to reinforce the rubber with protective plating, or vacate the premises to avoid damage. The only seal that feeds on penguins, young seals, and other warm-blooded prey, the leopard seal is a slender animal with a relatively long head and long, three-cusped cheek teeth. They also have a reinforced trachea to prevent collapse at great depth pressures. The leopard seal has a distinctively long and muscular body shape when compared to other seals, but it is perhaps best known for its reptilian-like head and massive jaws which are enormous for its body size and which allow it to be one of the top predators in its environment. They can be easily recognized by their black spotted coat and snake-like appearance Leopard seals. So, in leopard seals they have a silver to dark gray blended coat that make up its distinctive "leopard" coloration that make a spotted pattern. The diet of the Leopard seal is similar to others in many ways. [38] These measurements are then used to calculate their energetics which is the amount of energy and food it takes for them to survive as a species. [42][46], Paul Nicklen, a National Geographic magazine photographer, captured pictures of a leopard seal bringing live, injured, and then dead penguins to him, possibly in an attempt to teach the photographer how to hunt. 1. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/l/leopard-seal.html. [33], Around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) is the main prey. This seal in particular has a number of distinct and interesting characteristics. Leopard seals are only superseded in size by the elephant and walrus seals. Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is a member of the true or crawling seals and the only species from its genus. They can easily weight up to 600 kilograms! This makes for a dangerous combination. The Leopard Seal’s complete name is, Hydrurga leptonyx, and they can also be referred to as the Sea Leopard. Typically leopard seals chase or grab penguins in the water and thrash the captured bird back and forth until the skin peels away. Quick facts. This pattern makes it difficult to see the animal in the water. Leopard seals are only superseded in size by the elephant and walrus seals. Unlike other seal species, the leopard seals prefer a solitary life. Young leopard seals will usually eat mostly krill, squid and fish. [21] While singing the seal hangs upside down and rocks from side to side under the water. The throat has the whitish color and black spots. Leopards are very solitary and spend most of their time alone. Leopard seals eat almost anything, including penguins, fish, squid, and crustaceans. Quick facts about this fierce predator! There are 2 genera of Prions – the Pachyptila and the Halobaena. The overall body shape is long and slender, which makes them very agile when in the water. These cadence of calls are believed to be a part of a long range acoustic display for territorial purposes, or the attraction of a potential mate. [7] The front teeth are sharp like those of other carnivores, but their molars lock together in a way that allows them to sieve krill from the water in the manner of the crabeater seal. A sexually active female (ages 3–7) can give birth to a single pup during the summer on the floating ice floes of the Antarctic pack ice, with a sexually active male (ages 6–7). https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/to-do/wildlife/leopard-seal [26] In preparation for the pups, the females dig a circular hole in the ice as a home for the pup. This species lives in the subantarctic regions of the Southern Ocean, it can be found along the entire perimeter of the Antarctic ice. Leopard seals have a coloration that can be found in some marine animals, called “countershading.” Countershading is when an aquatic animal has a lighter underside, and darker back. Leopard seals are very vocal underwater during the austral summer. Prions get their name from the Greek word priōn which means “saw” referring to the serrated edges of the Prion’s bill. The response of leopard seals to humans in different situations was considered using a categorical response scale. We know that leopard seals are large, formidable predators, but exactly what theyâre doing below the waterline has long remained a mystery. These devices are called satellite-linked time depth recorders (SLDRs) and time-depth recorders (TDRs). They use their front flippers similarly to sea lions (otariids)[36] and leopard seal females are larger than males. Fast Facts Description Leopard seals have a long, slender body and a spotted coat. Leopard seals are an extremely unique species of marine mammal. 5. While krill are an important food for leopard seals, their diet also includes a significant number of warm-blooded animals, including other seals. They also have incredible diving capabilities. Leopard seals are earless seals. This is essential when hunting small prey items such as penguins because speed is necessary. Gentler than leopard seals and smaller than Weddell seals, Antarctic fur seals now have healthy populations after nearly being hunted into extinction. [29], Vocalization is thought to be important in breeding, since males are much more vocal around this time. Leopard seals, also known as Sea Leopards, get their name from the spotted grey skin that looks like the Leopard cat. A counter-shaded coat is when the dorsal side of the coat is darker than ventral side. When vi… [48] Leopard seal hunting is regulated by the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS). Leopard seals are one of the Antarctic animals our passengers most want to see. Southern elephant seals can travel up to 33,800 km (21,000 miles) per year, the longest known migration for any mammal. Leopard seals are curious and may approach live bait, baited hooks or lures and become entangled or get foul hooked. [35], Leopard seals' heads and front flippers are extremely large in comparison to other phocids. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx, sea leopard). It makes up the family Phocidae along with other earless seals. They have huge heads with enormous jaws. Leopard seals are the third largest seal in the world Female leopard seals, the larger of the two sexes, can grow up to 590 kg (1,300 pounds) and 3.8m meters (10 feet) long. The Leopard Seal’s closest relatives are the Ross Seals, Crabeater Seals, … A notable key feature of leopard seals are their counter-shaded coats. Lacking the teeth necessary to slice its prey into manageable pieces, it flails its prey from side to side tearing and ripping it into smaller pieces. Leopard seals can live up to 26 years in the wild. 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’s an illusion. This is how we are currently learning so much about leopard seals diet and foraging habits. Inhabits the cold southern ocean surrounding Antarctica Usually found alone. There are 2 freshwater subspecies of Ringed Seals found in northern Europe. They can also be about 11 feet long. The area of the Masai Mara called Leopard Gorge is well named. Facts. Ringed Seals have the highest population of seals species in the world. First of all, don’t let the seemingly gentle appearance of the remarkable animal known as the Leopard Seal fool you. They can easily weight up to 600 kilograms! According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the skull of the leopard seal is shaped more like a reptile than a seal. Activity Time Budget during Foraging Trips of Emperor Penguins, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T10340A45226422.en, "Marine Species Identification Portal : Leopard seal - Hydrurga leptonyx", "Leopard seal sightings in New Zealand on the rise", "Responses of Antarctic pack-ice seals to environmental change and increasing krill fishing", "Spatial patterns in activity of leopard seals Hydrurga leptonyx in relation to sea ice", "Density Can Be Misleading for Low-Density Species: Benefits of Passive Acoustic Monitoring", "Hunting and social behaviour of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) at Seal Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica", "POV: Why Are Leopard Seals Eating Fur Seal Pups? Shellfish are a far less dramatic prey but still an important part of the leopard seal's diet. 8 Thrilling & Fascinating Facts About Leopard Seals. In fact, it isn’t uncommon to see them alone or only with one or two companions. Identification. 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. Facts about Leopard Seals 1: the physical appearance The physical appearance of leopard seals is characterized with the light grey tone on the belly, dark grey tone on the back and muscular body. Their bodies are long and slender, and their heads appear to be almost too large for their serpent-like bodies. The leopard seal has gained the reputation as one of the most fearsome predators of the seas surrounding Antarctica – and for good reason. Retrieved 2018-05-15. They have a large, reptile-like head with a long, flexible neck. Location of the leopard seal and human had the greatest influence on the response of the leopard seal. Most human perceptions of leopard seals are shaped by historic encounters between humans and leopard seals that occurred during the early days of Antarctic exploration.[41]. This information can be obtained by scientists by attaching transmitters to the seals after they are tranquilized on the ice. The Leopard Seal also evolved as both large and powerful. Krill meanwhile, is eaten by suction, and strained through the seal's teeth, allowing leopard seals to switch to different feeding styles. The leopard seal lives in the cold waters of the Antarctic region, although some young seals travel further north … They can easily weight up to 600 kilograms! This is possible by increasing surfactant which coats the alveoli in the lungs for re-inflation. It has the biological name of Hydrurga leptonyx. [40], Leopard seals are apex predators presenting a potential risk to humans. Leopard seals’ acute hearing, sight and smell, coupled with their streamlined bodies that move with agility and speed, have established them as one of the top predators of the Antarctic. Leopard seals belong to the scientific order Pinnipedia, which includes seals, sea lions, and walruses. Adult seals probably switch from krill to more substantial prey, including king, Adélie, rockhopper, gentoo, emperor and chinstrap penguins, and less frequently, Weddell, crabeater, Ross, and young southern elephant seals. It is a solitary and noisy underwater animal. The male seals produce loud calls (153 to 177 dB re 1 μPa at 1 m) for many hours each day. 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).. A newborn pup weighs around 66 pounds and are usually with their mother for a month, before they are weaned off. Scientists attach this device usually to the head of the animal and it records depth, bottom time, total dive time, date and time, surface time, haul out time, pitch and roll, and total number of dives. 1) Smiling Face Its closest relatives are the Ross seal, the crabeater seal and the Weddell seal, which together are known as the tribe of Lobodontini seals. Some of the vocalisations made by leopard seals includes grunts and growls. Quick facts about this fierce predator! The only predator of the leopard seal is the occasional killer whale and humans. This truly amazing animal actually ranks as the second leading predator in all of Antarctica. … [39] They are able to complete these dives by collapsing their lungs and re-inflating them at the surface. The only seal that feeds on penguins, young seals, and other warm-blooded prey, the leopard seal is a slender animal with a relatively long head and long, three-cusped cheek teeth. In very rare cases, a stray animal can be seen in New Zealand, Australia or off the coasts of Tierra del Fuego. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the skull of the leopard seal is shaped more like a reptile than a seal. The leopard seal’s jaw is adapted to a varied diet. They only live in small groups which is also quite different from other species of seals. The only predator of the leopard seal is the occasional killer whale and humans. It is the only species in the genus Hydrurga. Black spots on the body of leopard seal resemble the spots on a leopard's body, hence the name. Pups and adults can be attacked by orca whales. It is each persons responsibility to ensure their own safety and well-being of the seal. Conservation of Antarctic waters items such as South Georgia the birth season is August to.! Come up beneath seabirds resting on the shoulders, throat and sides ” refers to of... 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