Stats

Lifespan

12-26 yrs

Size

Large

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Cathemeral

Social

Solitary

Biome

Polar sea

Range

Antarctica

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Live Birth

Defense

Speed

Status

Rare

About

Leopard seals are the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic and are the top predators of the entire region. They are the only species in the genus Hydrurga, and their closest relatives are the Ross, crabeater, and Weddell seals.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn

   A live-born newborn nurses on its mother's milk and depends on her for warmth and protection.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A weaned juvenile begins eating solid food and learning from its parents or group.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Phocidae

Genus

Hydrurga

Species

Hydrurga leptonyx