Leopard seal, also called Sea Leopard, (Hydrurga leptonyx), generally solitary, earless seal (family Phocidae) that inhabits Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the leopard seal is a species of least concern. Their front flippers, which are relatively large in relation to body size, allow them to steer with incredible agility and precision in the water, while their hind flippers provide speed and locomotion with a side-to-side stroke. Their bodies are shaped as smoothly as possible to minimize drag in the sea. Hydrurga means water worker, and leptonyx means slender or small-clawed in Greek. Where is Jesse De-Wilde son of Brandon deWilde? What date do new members of congress take office? The leopard seal is most closely related to the Weddell seal, the crabeater seal, and the Ross seal, all of which live in the Antarctic.These seals are actually a type of Carnivora — an order of mammals to which cats, dogs, and bears belong. They can also be about 11 feet long. However, one of them is the killer whale. But seabirds aren’t the only large animals on their menu. Biologists have been able to determine the last meal of a seal by analyzing the chemical composition of the whiskers. This makes them one of the largest and most imposing seals in the world. … Leopard Seals live in cold waters in the southern hemisphere. They are highly carnivorous mammals that belong to the family of the true seals. Perfect for a self-guided quiet activity. The baby seals weigh Compared to Other Seals. The baby seals weigh around 65 pounds while the large seals have an average weight of 860 pounds. Before diving underneath the water, the seal can collapse its lungs to deal with the water pressure. [3] It feeds on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, birds and fish.It is the only species in the genus Hydrurga. Leopard seals are extremely large animals. The females are larger than the males, but the male individuals still quite large compared to other types of seals. A typical male is about 10 feet long and weighs more than 600 pounds. The leopard seal has an extremely long, muscular body, with a hugeset of jaws. What type of covering do Leopard Seals have? For the next four weeks, the female is responsible for raising and weaning the young pup on its own. Their lives revolve around fidelity to the pack ice and nearby islands. Since then, they have evolved special adaptations to suit life in the water. In colour, the leopard seal shades from almost black to almost blue on the flanks. Shellfish are a far less dramatic prey but still an important part of the leopard seal's diet. However, several facts can be inferred about the reproductive behavior of the species based on some documentation.The species breeds only once every year around the months of December and January. Over this base color, leopard seals are dappled with gray or black spots. They are dark gray in color and can weigh up to 1,300 pounds. We’ve given it some thought and compiled a list. Leopard seals are extremely large animals. Weight: 200–600 kg. Males are often quite aggressive and territorial in the competition for the right females. In order to catch more evasive animals, these clever hunters will lie in wait for prey or sneak up and snatch them directly from below the water. Despite its solitary nature, the leopard seal is nevertheless a highly vocal species. Typemammaldietcarnivoreaverage life span in the wild12 to 15 yearssize10 to 115 ft 3 to 35 mweightup to 840 lbs 380 kg the leopard seal is a couple of feet longer. The captured bird is thrashed about on the water until its skin peels away. Their slender body is coloured a dark grey on top and a light grey on the bottom. The leopard seal has a distinctively long and muscular body shape when compared to other seals, but it is perhaps best known for its reptilian-like head and massive jaws which are enormous for its body size and which allow it to be one of the top predators in its environment. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is easily identified by its long slim body and comparatively large fore-flippers. The leopard seal is the largest of the four Antarctic seal species. This is the opposite of some Pinnipeds, such as the elephant seal, in which males are larger than the females. Leopard seal has silver grey or dark grey (nearly black) skin on the back and whitish silver skin on the front side of the body. Clumsy on land but graceful in the sea, the leopard seal is a finely skilled predator that thrives in the frigid waters of Antarctica. Few predators have a more ferocious (or well earned) reputation than Antarctica’s leopard seals. IUCN claims that there are at least 35,000 individuals in the wild, but this may be an undercount. They may migrate around their natural range throughout the year in response to the presence of ice floes and prey. 70% off with coupon code LOVEANIMALS. Leopard seals have the weight of 440 to 1,320 lb or 200 to 600 kg. They also appear to have a higher concentration of oxygen-storing molecules in their blood. Leopard seals can live up to 26 years in the wild. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 70% off with coupon code LOVEANIMALS. Appearance: Mottled, dark grey on back, lighter on belly.. How do Leopard Seals hunt? At the end of the body is a tail with two flippers. Leopard Seals - Hydrurga leptonyx Named for the spotting on its underside, the Leopard Seal is one of the largest predators in Antarctica, smaller only than the killer whale. Leopard seal feeding behavior is most easily seen when preying on penguins. Males are generally slightly smaller than females. The thick layer of blubber provides special insulation from the frigid waters. The leopard seal can grow from a length range of 7.9 to 11.5 feet and a weight range of 440 to 1,320 pounds. Leopard Seal facts - Basics Weight: Males up to 300 kg / females 260 - 500 kg. In the early 20th century, research conducted by ethologist […] Read More. However, the species has been sighted as far afield as South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. What do leopard seals eat - are they carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores? It also belongs to the family of Phocidae, meaning the earless or true seals. Leopard Seals belong to the class Mammalia. Leopard seals sense the surrounding environment with their short whiskers. The de… Polar bears are far too large and dangerous for any creature (especially a solitary one like the leopard seal) to take on. How rizal overcome frustrations in his romances? These seals travel widely, some even going as far to the north as the coasts in the south parts of South America and South Africa. The Leopard Seal is the second largest of all seals out there. They are also one of the few seal species that consume other warm-blooded animals.The krill appears to be a favorite food of the leopard seals. Females actually outweigh males by a considerable margin. Early researchers called them the “principal enemy of the penguins” and today many people know them best as the bad guy from Happy Feet. Click to see more animals in the Active Wild Online Zoo Leopard Seal Quick Facts. The leopard seal lives in the cold waters surrounding the Antarctic continent. However, leopard seals are very clumsy creatures on the land. How old was queen elizabeth 2 when she became queen? around 65 pounds while the large seals have an average weight of Despite this, they are protected by international conventions against hunting. They often compete with each other to acquire food, but they can sometimes cooperate to take down prey as well. What does contingent mean in real estate? Covered in a thin coat of fur, this species can be identified by the dark gray or black colors on the head and back and the white or light gray around the belly. The bichir species is more than 400 million years old. The larger group of seals, the Pinnipeds, also includes sea lions and walruses. These seals are characterized by beinglarge and very voluptuous in terms of muscles, and their skin color may vary but they are mostly dark gray in the upper part of their body, while their abdomen is light gray with dark or black spotswhich resemble the spots that leopards have. Seals probably split from the rest of the Carnivoras some 50 million years ago. LENGTH. 200-600 kg. They have evolved specialized teeth that can strain out tiny prey from the surrounding water as they move. However, due to its sheer size and strength, a person would not want to antagonize or provoke the creature. Facts about Leopard Seals 3: the weight and length. The leopard seal’s disproportionately large head, massive jaws, impressive teeth and tremendous gape give it a snake-like appearance. This allows the female to start mating again just in time for the breeding season.Not much is known about the childhood development of the leopard seal. Once a couple has paired up, the actual mating process probably occurs in the water. Their diet can change based on the seasons and the availability of food. This week ONLY. Why don't libraries smell like bookstores? The pattern is similar to that of the famous big cat, though the seal's coat is gray rather than golden in color. This species of Leopard Seal is several times larger than any modern species. They must force themselves forward by wriggling on their bellies and pulling their bodies up.Fortunately, their cumbersome movement on land is not much of a hindrance. People enjoy the taste of the oily fish in many different ways including pickled, smoked, salted, dried and fermented. Click through all of our Leopard Seal images in the gallery. 860 pounds. One quarter of the way along the body is a flipper on each side of the body. They are regularly seen around New Zealand. A male leopard seal is about three meters long and 300 kilograms in weight – and the weight of a female leopard can reach half a ton. Leopard seals are long, smooth, carnivorous mammals with a rounded head, big snout, large mouths, and flippers on all four feet (which enclose both their elbows and knees). Length: 2.5-3.5 metres. Stats: Weight: 440 - 1,320 lbs (0.20 - 0.60 tons) Length: 7.9 - 11.5 ft (2.4 - 3.5 m) Diet: Other seals, penguins, fish, and squid; Status: Lower risk; Distribution: Leopard Seal Range Species Fact: Like their feline namesakes, leopard seals are fierce predators. Unlike true seals, they have external ear flaps. In what type of habitat do Leopard Seals live? There have only been a few recorded leopard seal attacks, including a single death in 2003 involving an accidental drowning. This week ONLY! The remaining carcass is then eaten. The leopard seal has been known to live up to 30 years in the wild, but the average life span might be less than this. The leopard seal is earless, about 10 to 12 feet long (females slightly larger than males), weighs between 800 and 1000 pounds, and always seems to be smiling because the edges of its mouth curl upward. Some species (not necessarily leopard seals) are kept in captivity to entertain and educate people about marine life. The only seal that feeds on penguins, young seals, and other warm-blooded prey, the leopard seal is a slender animal with a relatively long head and long, three-cusped cheek teeth. The leopard seal is the only living species in the genus Hydrurga. Clumsy on land but graceful in the sea, the leopard seal is a finely skilled predator that thrives in the frigid waters of Antarctica. Kids will enjoy practicing upper and lower case letters, while adults can read the fun facts on each page to learn more about these amazing creatures. However, as the name implies, it is far more leopard than seal in temperament. He usually departed following the end of the mating cycle.Female leopard seals have a lengthy gestation period that lasts until around October or November (around ten months). They have a body length between 2.5 and 3.2 m (8.25 - 10 ft) and they weigh between 200 and 455 Kgs (440 - 1,000 lbs). Their heads and jaws are specially adapted for a carnivorous diet, making them one of the most fearsome carnivores in the Antarctic waters. For those that tame leopard seals, they will find them an adept amphibious mount for the ocean, with affinity for killing kairuku and storing their polymer. The largest is the male elephant seal (genus Mirounga leonina) of coastal California (including Baja California, Mexico) and South America, which can reach a length of 6.5 metres (21 feet) and a weight of 3,700 kg (8,150 pounds). Diet: Penguins, other species of seal, krill, squid, fish. … These big predators (which can reach over 3 m long and weight up to 500… The maximum weight of a wild leopard is about 96 kg (212 lb), recorded in Southern Africa. Instead, they have a simple opening on either side of the head that leads to the ear canal. Interesting Leopard seal Facts: Leopard seal can reach 10 to 11.5 feet in length and 440 to 1.320 pounds of weight. An average weight for a leopard seal is between 200 and 600kg (440 and 1,320lb). Name: Leopard Seal, Sea Leopard (Hydrurga leptonyx). The overall length of this seal is 7.9–11.5 feet and weight is from 440 to 1,320 pounds. 70% off with coupon code LOVEANIMALS. Leopard seal vs sea lion size. Phocids include the harbor seal and Hawaiian monk seal. They usually stay within a few hundred feet of the surface.Although the leopard seal species has not been thoroughly studied, it is generally understood that seals (even the solitary species) are playful, smart, and inquisitive creatures. These clever creatures will hunt the seal either alone or in packs by deploying intelligent strategies to corner and consume them. The body of male and female leopard seals is in different size. In order to better deal with water pressure, leopard seals can collapse their lungs before diving underneath the water. Weight 200-591kg (440-1,300lbs) Leopard Seal Images. But as human activity in the Antarctic becomes more frequent, contact between humans and leopard seals could increase. Check Also: 10 Facts about Lemon Sharks. Location: The Antarctic plus southern hemisphere shorelines. This is its year-round home. This seal is sometimes called the sea leopard, and the resemblance is more than skin deep. Some estimates put the true numbers at above 100,000 or even 200,000.Unlike other species, the leopard seal has not been traditionally hunted for its fat and fur, sparing it from rapid depletion. Leopard Seals belong to the family Phocidae. The leopard seal is large, but smaller than the elephant seal and walrus. Click through all of our Leopard Seal images in the gallery. However, it is believed that sexual maturity usually takes several years to achieve. The overall length of this seal is 2.4-3.5 m (7.9-11.7 ft) and weight is from 200 to 600 kilograms (440 to 1,300 lb). Just like the cetaceans, leopard seals can go a long amount of time between breaths of oxygen. The leopard seal is considered to be an apex predator that has few other natural predators in the wild. Otariids, also known as eared seals, include sea lions and fur seals such as the Steller sea lion and the northern fur seal. There are also reports that sharks may sometimes attack and consume leopard seals, but actual observation of leopard seal predation is relatively rare.Because the species occupies an extreme environment on the fringes of the world, humans are not a significant threat to them, apart from the occasional entanglements in fishing nets. #10 Smartest Animal on Earth: Raccoon Raccoon Reaches For Flower Raccoons may gravitate to the garbage, but they’re also super smart. However, climate change over the long term could pose a risk to the habitat on which the species relies for its survival. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), also referred to as the sea leopard, is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the southern elephant seal).Its only natural predator is the killer whale. What is the WPS button on a wireless router? Leopard seals are largely solitary creatures that live and hunt on their own. Catching the prey, the leopard can reach speeds of up to 40 km / h. Because of the streamlined shape of the body, this seal resembles a torpedo, which facilitates movement at high speed. Their bodies are long and slender and their heads appear to be almost a little too large for their thin serpent like bodies. This pattern resembles the big cat for which it’s named.These seals can reach more than 12 feet in length and weigh more than a thousand pounds. They will sometimes need to tear the prey apart first before it is small enough to be consumed. The world's most aggressive seal species! If the ice of the Antarctic melts or dissipates, then it will disrupt the seal’s breeding patterns. Other Name(s): Sea leopard Scientific Name: Hydrurga leptonyx Type of Animal: Mammal Animal Family: Phocidae (the earless, or ‘true seal’ family) Where Found: Mainly along the Antarctic coast Life Span: Up to 26 years Length: 2.4-3.5m (7.9-11.6ft) Weight: 200-600kgs (440-1,320lbs) November 12th is celebrated as National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day, One of the rarest species of seal on Earth, What are the 10 smartest animals on Earth? Their head and snout are a little small, although they have a relativelylong neck. Leopard seals exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning that males and females have somewhat different physical characteristics. The material on this site can not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with prior written permission of Multiply. The males are slightly smaller than the females. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife, Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals, David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia, Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species, David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals, Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals, David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals. Because it is difficult to access the frigid environments of the Antarctic, actual leopard seal mating has almost never been observed directly. This distinguishes them from the eared seals of the family Otariidae. The diet of a particular Leopard Seal depends on its size. Apart from scientific and research purposes, direct contact between humans and leopard seals is incredibly rare. The large repertoire of calls includes trills, barks, and moans (which may vary with age) to help them establish territory and attract potential mates. A typical female is about 12 feet long and weighs up to 1,100 pounds. Leopard seals, believe it or not, have lots of spots. When did organ music become associated with baseball? They seem to have an innate ability to perform limited tasks and follow commands. The Leopard Seal Hydrurga leptonyx. Leopard Seals belong to the order Carnivora. With few natural predators and plenty of food, the leopard seal has tamed one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet. The coat is counter-shadedwith a silver to dark gray blend and a distinctiv… Crabeater weddell leopard. Their only sustained contact with other seals throughout the year is during the mating season. However, unlike many other Pinnipeds, leopard seals do not make particularly deep or long dives. This week ONLY. However, few people have ever seen one up close, since direct contact with humans is rare and fleeting. They are very strong animals and they tend to take over the areas where they reside. After ambushing their feathered prey, they hold it in their long curved teeth and thrash it at the water’s surface, tearing it into swallowable chunks of flesh. Main Characteristics Leopard Seals have a fearsome reputation and they are the top predators in the Antarctic waters. Due to the difficulty of surveying the Antarctic region, it is difficult to estimate precisely how many leopard seals are alive in the world. Practice all letters, and learn about animals A-Z. Their bodies are long and slender, and their heads appear to be almost too large for their serpent-like bodies. Leopard seals feast on fish, squid, shellfish, penguins, sea birds, and smaller seals. Conservation status: Least Concern. An Indian leopard killed in Himachal Pradesh in 2016 measured 261 cm (8 ft 7 in) with an estimated weight of 78.5 kg (173 lb) was perhaps the largest known wild leopard. Facts about Leopard Seals 2: the male and female leopard seals. The scientific name of the leopard seal is Hydrurga leptonyx. However, the loss of Antarctic sea ice could pose a potential threat in the future by interrupting their breeding behavior. It measured 262 cm (8 ft 7 in). Females are larger than males. It is an extremely aggressive predator, the bane of Kairuku out on the ice floes and a surprising threat to walruses. The Leopard seal gets its name from its spotted coat pattern. Leopard Seals belong to the Kingdom Animalia. This highly distinctive species has a set of unmistakable features to help it survive in the wild, including blubber and flippers. Leopard Seals belong to the genus Hydrurga. Most of this time is spent on the ice floes, where the pup is mostly safe and secure from potential carnivores. Their weight is from 200 to 600 kilograms (440 to 1,320 pounds). They have long bodies from 2.5 to 3.5 meters (8 to 11.5 feet) and elongated heads. It is believed that they can move up to 25 mph for short periods when swimming. The pup must learn quickly to swim and hunt because it will begin to live on its own shortly after being weaned. It is believed that the leopard seal males will make certain vocalizations to attract and secure mates. However, the male does not stick around for the birth of the child. So, without further ado, let the countdown begin! Female leopard seals, the larger of the two sexes, can grow up to 590 kg (1,300 pounds) and 3.8m meters (10 feet) long. View all of the Leopard Seal images! Copyright © 2021 Multiply Media, LLC. Leopard seals are earless seals. These seals lack an external ear flap. Children can practice coloring letters and learn about animals at the same time! The leopard seals spend the majority of their lives in and around the water, occasionally coming up on the ice for rest, safety, and breeding. The young creature can weigh more than 60 pounds straight out of the mother’s womb. Leopard Seals belong to the phylum Chordata. The newborn seal is called a pup, and only a single one is born at a time. The neck is a lighter grey and patterned with black spots. The diet of the leopard seal mainly consists of fish, squid, shellfish, penguins (including gentoos and emperors), sea birds, and sometimes even the pups of other seal species. The most distinctive feature of the species is the black spots around the white parts of the body. They have a color gradient that shifts from white on their underside, to dark gray on their backs. That’s about as heavy as a grand piano. WEIGHT. Weight: Up to 840 lbs (380 kg) The leopard seal is named for its black-spotted coat. This has allowed the leopard seal to proliferate throughout the seas of the most southern extremes on the planet. The front teeth are sharp like those of other carnivores, but their molars lock together in a way that allows them to sieve krill from the water in the manner of the crabeater seal. The muzzle, throat and belly are light grey scattered with dark grey and black spots. With their sharp teeth, claws, and big powerful jaws, these carnivores have rightly earned a reputation as one of the fiercest predators of the sea. They are about the same length as the northern walrus but usually less than half the weight. However, leopard seals will opportunistically attack and eat whatever they can find. All Rights Reserved. The leopard seal lives exclusively around the waters of Antarctica. Although leopard seals have small claws on their flippers, it’s actually their big teeth that allow them to kill and consume larger prey. They seem to have unique behaviors and rituals associated with certain stylized vocalizations and sounds.Over millions of years of evolution, these seals have acquired specific adaptations to help it cope with the harsh realities of its cold marine environment. However, on average, it weighs around 840 pounds. Adult males can measure up to 2.5-3.2m in length and weigh 200-455kg, while adult females are … The reproductive habits of the leopard seal remain something of a mystery to biologists. Why did clay walker and Lori lampson get divorced? For its survival makes them one of the Antarctic, actual leopard seal lives exclusively around the white of... Analyzing the chemical composition of the most southern extremes on the ice floes and prey to pounds! Two flippers meal of a particular leopard seal gets its name from its spotted coat pattern to years... A lighter grey and patterned with black spots far less dramatic prey still... Diet of a wild leopard is about 96 kg ( 212 lb ), 70 off. 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