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Animal profile

Leopard Seal

Hydrurga leptonyx

MammaliaAntarctic pack ice and surrounding cold southern ocean watersLeast Concern

Field profile

The leopard seal is a long, muscular Antarctic seal with a reptilian head and an enormous gape. It is one of the few seals that regularly preys on other warm-blooded animals, including penguins and young seals. It spends most of the year alone on or near the pack ice.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2024-02-14

Leopard Seal

The leopard seal strains krill with its teeth

The animal best known for hunting penguins spends much of the year filtering small crustaceans. Its cheek teeth interlock into a coarse sieve, and krill can make up a large share of its diet in some seasons and regions.

Read with evidence →

Leopard Seal | Daily Animal Facts