Leopard Seal Eating A Penguin

You've heard about leopards attacking impalas from trees and orcas knocking seals off ice floes, just yous may not know too much about the impressive leopard seal.

Leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) are trigger-happy predators and the 2nd largest seals on the continent of Antarctica. They are the sole species of the genus Hydrurga. Their native range encompasses the entire Southern ocean, which encircles Antarctica, and within this range, only killer whales rival them every bit predators.

Hardened past the harsh Antarctic conditions, leopard seals eat whatever casualty is available to them, spanning fish to penguins to other seals. However, they primarily swallow penguins, which they ambush past waiting underwater at the edge of the water ice.

Once the penguins enter the h2o, the leopard seals make their motion, rapidly gulping them down.

These impressive animals are large and muscular, mostly dark grey in color with a lighter tint across their stomachs. They abound to nearly 12 feet in length and weigh up to 1,400 pounds. Sharp, cannibal front teeth, locking molars, and stiff jaws attribute to their high position on the marine mammal food chain.

In this fantastic video from National Geographic, you will witness the leopard seal's powerful hunting methods and vicious attacks in action. Sentry as this leopard seal efficiently ambushes, kills, and devours its targeted penguin prey.