Hydrurga leptonyx
leopard seal

Hydrurga leptonyx is most common in the polar and subpolar waters of the Southern Hemisphere, along the coast of Antarctica and on most sub-Antarctic islands. Some individuals can be found on the coasts of South Africa, southern Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, the Cook Islands, Tierra del Fuego, and the Atlantic coast of South America. (Jefferson, Leatherwood, and Webber, 1993; Nowak, 1999)

Leopard seals are most common in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters, along the outer edges of the pack ice, hauling out on ice and land. (Jefferson, Leatherwood, and Webber, 1993)

Adults of H. leptonyx reach 241-338 cm in length, with females being on average slightly larger than males. The body is streamlined and massive, with a very large head and long, broad foreflippers. Leopard seals swim with long, powerful, simultaneous strokes of the forelimbs, unlike most other phocids which propel themselves by means of side-to-side strokes of the hindlimbs. Coloration is dark above giving way to silvery pale on the sides and below, with varying degrees of spotting. In addition to having well developed canines, the cheek teeth of the leopard seal consist of three tubercles or lobes, similar to those of the crabeater seal, Lobodon carcinophaga. These complex teeth allow the leopard seal to filter krill from the water. (Jefferson, Leatherwood, and Webber, 1993; Nowak, 1999)

The leopard seal is primarily a solitary species. Animals of different age groups are often segregated in different areas. Mature animals normally occur on the outer fringes of the pack ice. Young animal disperse to sub-Antarctic islands during the winter, and it is debated whether or not these movements are migrations or periodic dispersals due to intraspecific competition. (Borsa, 1990; King, 1983; Rogers, Cato, and Bryden, 1996)

Leopard seals are capable of producing a variety of vocalizations, which have been correlated with different body movements and postures. The vocalizations have been associated with intraspecific agression, female receptivity, and males searching for mates. (Borsa, 1990; King, 1983; Rogers, Cato, and Bryden, 1996)

The diet of the leopard seal is quite variable, and it is the only pinniped in which warm blooded vertebrates make up a large portion of the diet. Crabeater and fur seals (in the genus Arctocephalus) often bear scars from leopard seal attacks. Prey has been estimated at 45 percent krill, 35 percent seals, 10 percent penguins, and 10 percent fish and cephalopods, but proportions will vary along with age, seasonal abundance of food, and location. Leopard seals have also been known to scavenge the carrion of whales and other seals. (Boveng et al., 1998; King, 1983; Kooyman, 1981; Siniff and Stone, 1985)

There are few natural predators of leopard seals. They are top carnivores in Antarctic ecosystems. However, they may occasionally be taken by orcas (Orca orcinus) or large sharks.

There are no known adverse affects of leopard seals on humans.

Only small numbers of leopard seals are taken for scientific research, and have little commercial value. (Jefferson, Leatherwood, and Webber, 1993)

Leopard seal populations are abundant in preferred habitat and the species is not exploited by man. Leopard seals, especially young, seasonally depend on krill, but are less competitive than other krill-feeding species.Leopard seals could, therefore, be one of the first species adversely affected by commercial krill fisheries. The species is currently rated as Lower Risk/Least Concern by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. (Jefferson, Leatherwood, and Webber, 1993; Nowak, 1999; Siniff and Stone, 1985)