Leopard Seal

The leopard seal lives in the cold waters of the Antarctic; it is sometimes found as far north as southern South America and New Zealand. It spends most of its time in the sea, but when it does haul out (leaves the sea) to rest, the seal goes onto the ice pack, rarely on land. The leopard seal propels itself by moving its tail from side to side, and it steers with its long front flippers. These flippers enable it to change direction quickly--an asset when chasing fast-moving prey.
The leopard seal is called a ferocious killer because it sometimes preys on its own kind and on the young of other seals. Its somewhat reptilelike facial features also add to this undeserved reputation. Other seals form only a small proportion of its diet. Almost half of the leopard seal's diet is krill. It also eats fish and squid, or whatever is within reach, including seabirds. But penguins are its favorite prey. The seal waits underwater, watching the surface for penguins, then makes its attack from below. After catching a penguin, the seal shakes it violently while tearing off chunks of flesh. But penguins are excellent swimmers themselves and often escape.
Antarctic summers are from November to January. At this time the female leopard seal hauls out (leaves the sea) onto the ice pack to bear her pup (newborn seal). At this time she eats a greater amount of food than normal to prepare herself for the fasting after the birth. Unlike other seals that give birth in colonies, the leopard seal bears her young alone. When the pup is born it looks like a small duplicate of its parent; it weighs about 57 pounds and is about five feet long. Feeding from its mother's rich milk, the pup gains weight rapidly. After about two weeks it is ready to molt (shed) its first coat and take to the sea. Once the pup can swim it no longer feeds from its mother, who then leaves the pup to fend for itself. The pup feeds on krill (shrimplike sea life) before learning to catch fish and larger prey. When the cow (female) returns to the sea, she mates immediately with a bull (male) seal. But the fertilized egg does not implant itself in the female's womb for about three months, nor does it develop at this time. This assures that the pup is born during the following summer when conditions for survival are more favorable.
It lives around the fringes of the Antarctic ice pack; Heard, Kerguelen, and South Georgia islands. Sometimes seen in southern parts of South America, New Zealand, and Australia. The leopard seal species is not endangered. But its natural curiosity sometimes brings it close to man, who too often responds to its feasome looks by shooting.

We got our information from the "Wildlife Fact File".


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