leopard seal

E70632

The leopard seal is a large, powerful Antarctic marine predator known for its spotted coat and for preying on penguins and other seals.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf carnivore
marine mammal
species of mammal
true seal
binomialName Hydrurga leptonyx
bodyLength up to about 3.5 metres
bodyMass up to about 600 kilograms
breedingSeason austral summer
class Mammalia
coatPattern spotted
commonName leopard seal
sea leopard
conservationStatus Least Concern
conservationStatusSystem IUCN Red List
dentition specialized tricuspid cheek teeth
diet cephalopods
fish
krill
other seals
penguins
dorsalColor dark gray
family Phocidae
genus Hydrurga
geographicRange circumpolar around Antarctica
habitat coastal Antarctic waters
open ocean
pack ice
kingdom Animalia
lifespan around 20 to 26 years in the wild
nativeTo Antarctic waters
Southern Ocean
notableBehavior can hunt other seal species
preys on penguins at the ice edge
occasionalRange New Zealand waters
southern coasts of Africa
southern coasts of Australia
southern coasts of South America
subantarctic islands
order Carnivora
phylum Chordata
primaryThreats climate change impacts on sea ice and prey
reproduction gives birth to a single pup
sexualDimorphism females larger than males
snoutShape reptilian-like
swimmingAbility strong and agile swimmer
taxonRank species
trophicRole apex predator
ventralColor pale
vocalization complex underwater calls

Referenced by (1)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Antarctic Peninsula
hasWildlife

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