Leopards of the SeaLeopards of the Sea

SpeciesSpeciesTheir species is the Hydrurga Leptonyx.Their species is the Hydrurga Leptonyx.The Leopard Seals order is a Carnivora The Leopard Seals order is a Carnivora

their suborder is the Pinnepedia.their suborder is the Pinnepedia.The Leopard Seals family is called the The Leopard Seals family is called the

Mammalia.Mammalia.

Physical FeaturesPhysical Features

Leopard Seals have Leopard Seals have smooth bodiessmooth bodies

Very thick furVery thick fur Round dark eyesRound dark eyes They have four They have four

flippersflippers A black spotted coatA black spotted coat It has a huge headIt has a huge head They have enormous They have enormous

jawsjaws

They’re earlessThey’re earless They’re 850They’re 850

poundspounds They’re 12 feetThey’re 12 feet

longlong

Lifespan and Endangered Lifespan and Endangered

The Leopard Seal is The Leopard Seal is able to live 26 or able to live 26 or more years.more years.

The Leopard Seals The Leopard Seals are not threatened are not threatened or endangered in or endangered in any way.any way.

It is at the top of the It is at the top of the food chain in the food chain in the Antarctic region.Antarctic region.

Even a treaty helps Even a treaty helps to save Leopard to save Leopard Seals. Seals.

Habitat, Landforms, and Habitat, Landforms, and ClimateClimate

They live in and around the Antarctic.They live in and around the Antarctic. They also live on the coast Antarctic and sub They also live on the coast Antarctic and sub

Antarctic islands.Antarctic islands. Leopard Seals spend most of their time in the ocean.Leopard Seals spend most of their time in the ocean. They live on packs of ice and island coasts.They live on packs of ice and island coasts. The temperature is very cold and generally dry.The temperature is very cold and generally dry. Antarctica is the coldest, and windiest place on Earth.Antarctica is the coldest, and windiest place on Earth. There is no daylight during the winterThere is no daylight during the winter..

FoodFood The Leopard Seal is a carnivore.The Leopard Seal is a carnivore. Two main things that the Leopard Seals eat are Two main things that the Leopard Seals eat are

the Crabeater Seal and the Adelie Penguins.the Crabeater Seal and the Adelie Penguins. Other things that they eat are krill, fish, and Other things that they eat are krill, fish, and

seabirds. seabirds.

Prey and PredatorPrey and Predator

PreyPrey Adelie PenguinsAdelie Penguins KrillKrill FishFish Crabeater SealsCrabeater Seals SeabirdsSeabirds

PredatorPredator Orca/killer WhaleOrca/killer Whale PeoplePeople

Their BehaviorTheir BehaviorThe Leopard Seal spends a lot of time alone The Leopard Seal spends a lot of time alone

and comes together at mating time.and comes together at mating time.The Leopard Seals will attack mostly anything The Leopard Seals will attack mostly anything

that comes near them.that comes near them.They are found often on pack ice and very hard They are found often on pack ice and very hard

ice.ice.Young Leopard Seals migrate north every year.Young Leopard Seals migrate north every year.

ReproductionReproduction A Leopard Seal breeds between the ages of 2 and 7. When it is time the mom digs a hole in the ice to get

the food when they need it and after a nine month gestation it gives birth to a single pup in the summer.

It is 70 lbs. when born and doubles their weight in the first 3 months of life.

Physical AdaptationsPhysical Adaptations They have very long and sharp teeth for cutting They have very long and sharp teeth for cutting

and tearing their prey.and tearing their prey. It has powerful and highly developed forelimbs It has powerful and highly developed forelimbs

allowing it to move quickly in different directions.allowing it to move quickly in different directions. It has a very loose jaw that can open very large to It has a very loose jaw that can open very large to

bite big prey.bite big prey.

Behavioral AdaptationsBehavioral AdaptationsThey wait in hiding and pounce on the first They wait in hiding and pounce on the first

penguin to jump in the water.penguin to jump in the water.They come up beneath seabirds resting on the They come up beneath seabirds resting on the

water surface to catch them.water surface to catch them. In the late fall young Leopard Seals migrate North In the late fall young Leopard Seals migrate North

to the sub Antarctic islands so that they can find to the sub Antarctic islands so that they can find more animals to eat.more animals to eat.

Physiological Adaptations Physiological Adaptations They have a thick layer of fat under their skin They have a thick layer of fat under their skin

known as blubber, which holds warmth.known as blubber, which holds warmth. They have an excellent vision and sense of smell They have an excellent vision and sense of smell

which helps them hunt.which helps them hunt. Their body has lungs that are able to hold their Their body has lungs that are able to hold their

breath for 15-30 minutes so they can stay under breath for 15-30 minutes so they can stay under water longer.water longer.

Fun FactsFun Facts They are known to They are known to

be very loud during be very loud during breeding season.breeding season.

The female seals The female seals are larger than the are larger than the males. (The female males. (The female is 1,000 pounds is 1,000 pounds and the male is and the male is 800 pounds.)800 pounds.)

There are currently There are currently more than 220,000 more than 220,000 Leopard Seals in Leopard Seals in the world.the world.