Named for the spotting on its underside and the
wide gape that displays a mouth full of sharp teeth, the
Leopard Seal is one of the largest predators in Antarctica,
smaller only than the killer whale. Females are larger than males
and average about 3m (10ft) long and around 350kg (770lb). They
appear more squat when on the surface as in this picture on an ice
floe, where they are nearly always seen, only rarely coming ashore
onto land. In the sea, they appear longer, sleeker and almost
snake-like in form and movements, though they swim of course with
fore and hind flippers.
Leopard seals are
built for speed, they have a large powerful head, a huge gape and
a massive lower jaw. They frequent the edge of the pack ice and in
particular areas around penguin rookeries all around Antarctica.
They are fairly opportunistic as predators and will east a wide
variety of prey from krill to penguins to young crabeater seals -
their main prey. Their teeth are very much those of a carnivore,
though they are also partly adapted with three large cusps on the
pre-molars and molars that interlock and are also able to act as a
strainer when feeding on krill.
They are
inquisitive and fearless, frequently approaching small boats to
investigate when their large "grin" and all of those
teeth they have can make them appear quite menacing.
Their
way of dealing with penguins is quite gruesome. Once caught and
killed, the penguin is shaken violently from side to side by the
leopard seal until it is literally thrown out of its skin and
feathers for the seal to then swallow. Floating penguin skins in
the sea are a sure sign of leopard seals nearby.
Photo; © Paul Ward - Pentax equipment,
100mm
lens, 35mm film, K64.
This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without
prior written permission.
