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| The Leopard Seals are one of two predators in
Antarctica - the other being the Orca whale. Like the Elephant
and Crabeater
seals, the Leopard seal is a true seal and the largest of the grows
up to 3m in length. They have sleek dark grey bodies with dark mottles
on it. What sets them apart from other true seals is a reptilian-like
neck (as opposed to the other seals where the neck is lost in the
folds of blubber) and a mouth which can open into a wide 'smile.' |
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I'm watching you...
Cuverville Island
The Leopard seal prefer to haunt areas with pack ice and sea ice,
hauling out ice floes. They are the only predator in the Antarctic
area with an interest in penguins (Orca tend to hunt seals as catching
and digesting a penguin uses up more energy than a penguin provides),
and also prey on young seals for food.
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Here's looking at you, babe...
Cuverville Island
Despite seeking out young Weddell and Crabeater seals for food,
Leopard seals do not hunt when on an ice floe as their size makes
for cumbersome progress across ice. Consequently, it is not uncommon
to see Leopard seals resting on ice floe with other seals or penguins.
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Sleeping with a smile
Deception Island
A close up of the positively reptilian face of a leopard seal.
I tried, but I could not grow to love these animals...
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Resting on a floe
Paradise Bay
Between hunting, the seals will usually pull out on ice floes and
icebergs to rest. I did see one gracefully swim under the zodiac
at Pleneau Island, and let me assure, they have the sleek effortless
power of a tiger when in the water...
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No competition
Pleneau Island
In 2003, with less sea ice than the previous year, there were a
lot more leopard seals around (and fewer crabeater seals who were
all further south...). Frequently they could be heard snorting as
they swum silently along the coast looking for penguins entering
the water...
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