They are primarily shallow divers but they do dive deeper than 80 meters in search for food. at birth WebThe skull of an adult leopard seal. In this respect their way of perceiving threats, is by means of recognizing the vibrations in the soils or in the water, what alerts them of the existence of threats or a nearby prey. The pup is weaned on the ice for about a month. They often wait underwater near an ice shelf and snare the birds just as they enter the water after jumping off the ice. The leopard seal's habitat overlaps that of other seals. Reeves, R. R., Stewart, B.S., Clapman, P.J., and J.A. Leopard seals live in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters of the Ross Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands. In colour, the leopard seal shades from almost black to almost blue on the flanks. Co-operative hunting of leopard seals on Antarctic fur seal pups has been witnessed, which could be a mother helping her older pup, or could also be female-male couple interactions, to increase their hunting productivity. Females become mature between ages three and seven. Exceptions include mother and pup pairs and temporary mating pairs. Their body is shaped to go through the water with a minimum of resistance. Females generally stock up on food prior to giving birth, which takes place in a hole amongst the pack ice. Thats 18 teeth on the top and 20 on the bottom. Other prey include penguins and fish including chondrichthyans. Contrary to other types of seals, leopard seals have relatively large fins that give them better mobility to displace overland and to swim comfortably when they need to capture their prey. Animals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents. Comment This is an adaptation that ensures that they'll always have enough food to eat, instead of only relying on the presence of a small amount of food sources that can become scarce, or hard to find. When they can swim alone their mother stops feeding them and starts looking for her own food. Mating takes place in the water, and then the male leaves the female to care for the pup, which the female gives birth to after an average gestation period of 274 days. Though seals have retinas like land animals do, they don't have the curved eye surface to refract light and project an image onto the retina at the back of the eyeball. Most human perceptions of leopard seals are shaped by historic encounters between humans and leopard seals that occurred during the early days of Antarctic exploration.[43]. Leopard seals live in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters of the Ross Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands. A seal's core body temperature is around 38 degrees C (100 degrees F). 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. Females are sexually mature at 2 to 6 years of age and males at 3 to 7. [5][6] The name hydrurga means "water worker" and leptonyx is the Greek for "thin-clawed". Nowak, Ronald M. Adaptations for predatory feeding can be seen in the long curved canine teeth, in the lobed rear teeth used for filter feeding krill out of the water and in the massive size of the strong lower jaw with a large area towards the back where the powerful jaw muscles are attached. Leopards seals occur near and within the Antarctic pack ice. Leopards' short, muscular legs are adapted to help them run fast, similar to a car, so they can chase and capture even the quickest prey. In colour, the leopard seal shades from almost black to almost blue on the flanks. It may take as little as 4 to 7 minutes for a leopard seal to consume an Adlie penguin. Keeping a look-out:Looking directly backward is a behaviour used by male seals to keep watch over their territory of rock platforms and rockpools. [21], Leopard seals are very vocal underwater during the austral summer. Seals have more blood than land animals of a similar size, plus more hemoglobin to carry oxygen. The inner portion of their mouth is pink and their teeth are sharp, which accentuates their characteristic of feared predators. Although they are not endangered species and their hunting is limited, this is not to say that these measures dont generate economic benefits to the inhabitants of the localities near the waters where they live. The Sierra Club Handbook of Seals and Sirenians. This is called "streamlining". All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Though the leopard seal is known for its coat, it has not been commercially hunted for its skin like its fur seal relatives. [42], Leopard seals are large predators presenting a potential risk to humans. The male seals produce loud calls (153 to 177dB re 1Pa at 1m) for many hours each day. However, it is known that their breeding system is polygynous, meaning that males mate with multiple females during the mating period. Powell (Peter Folkens illustrator). All the energy is used to protect the seal's critical parts and pieces, like its heart and brain. WebLeopard seals are true seals and get their name from the spots that cover their fur. In colour, the leopard seal shades from almost black to almost blue on the flanks. Sea Lions have a coat with only one layer. 2. Leopard Seals: Characteristics, reproduction, habitat and more. Unlike land animals, a seal's eyes consist only of rods (sensory cells) that work great in low light, plus they don't have cones (other sensory cells) to detect color. Reeves, R.R., Stewart, B.S. For this activity, carefully read and select the best answer that completes each of the given statement. Lacking the teeth necessary to slice its prey into manageable pieces, it flails its prey from side to side tearing and ripping it into smaller pieces. The leopard seals lack of auditory system, in fact they dont have ears that allow them to hear the surroundings sounds. Although males and females are similar in appearance, which is unusual for a seal, females are slightly larger than males. Seals have more blood than land animals of a similar size, plus more hemoglobin to carry oxygen. In a report read at the inquiry into Brown's death, Professor Ian Boyd from St. Andrews University stated that the seal may have mistaken her for a fur seal or may have been frightened by her presence and attacked in defense. Sightings of vagrant leopard seals have been recorded on the coasts of Australia, New Zealand (where individuals have been seen even on the foreshores of major cities such as Auckland,[12] Dunedin[13] and Wellington[14]), South America, and South Africa. They are the only seals that regularly hunt warm-blooded prey. Adaptations are natural physical features or behaviors that help living things survive in their habitats. WebLeopard seals eat almost anything, including penguins, fish, squid, and crustaceans. Fur for warmth:Fur Seals have two layers of fur. (ed.). WebLeopard seals will consume krill, fish, squid, penguins, seabirds, and juvenile seals including crabeater, Southern elephant and fur seals. They are regularly seen around New Zealand. Weddells and other true seals even have extra-big spleens to store red blood cells that are released later during a dive.Back on shore, seals enjoy a dive recovery time that's around twice as long as their actual dive time. Explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery on Lake Superior, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, These Lake Superior islands are no place for amateurs, Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark. Who created it? However, it has been difficult to study their communicating way properly, but it is known that males perform a sortof vocalization when they are in need of mating, specifically before courting the female and after breeding. Unfortunately their habitat has been dramatically altered, due to the climatic changes occurring in the world, which has caused the poles to begin to melt slowly, altering the habitat and food resources needed for this species. Their head and snout are a little small, although they have a relatively long neck. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Sometimes they are found along the southern coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. WebLeopard seals are true seals and get their name from the spots that cover their fur. [11], Leopard seals are pagophilic ("ice-loving") seals, which primarily inhabit the Antarctic pack ice between 50S and 80S. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. and R.J. Harrison (Eds). The trait of vocalizing underwater for long periods means they can be the subject of acoustic surveys, allowing researchers to gather most of what is known about them. They also eat the pups of other seal species including crabeater, Weddell and southern fur seals. The only animal that hunts leopard seals is the killer whale. Leopard seals have uniquely shaped cheek teeth that allow them to strain krill out of seawater. However, not all encounters with humans are predatory. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. Seals also use Antarctica's solar energy to heat up which can be a bad thing on warm days! According to the IUCN Red List, the total Leopard seal population number is more than 35,000 individuals and it is classified as Least Concern (LC). Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. Each male has a distinct call, although the calls change depending on the seal's age. 2) Leopard cubs can follow their mother at night because of their mother's __________. Like the crabeater seals, leopard seals have unusual teeth for straining krill from the water. The leopard seal is named for its black-spotted coat. They are known for being very solitary creatures that only make groups during the breeding stage and during the first years of breeding. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co., 1990. ThoughtCo, Sep. 1, 2021, thoughtco.com/leopard-seal-facts-4155875. The leopard seal is an agile predator found in the waters of the Antarctic. This whole process begins in the Antarctic summer, which takes place between November and January, when the seals leave the water and place on the ice to begin their reproductive process. Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. ", "Leopard Seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) in New Zealand waters predating on chondrichthyans", "Seasonal occurrence and diet of leopard seals (, "Leopard seals suck up krill like whales", "An accurate and adaptable photogrammetric approach for estimating the mass and body condition of pinnipeds using an unmanned aerial system", "Summer diving and haul-out behavior of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) near mesopredator breeding colonies at Livingston Island, Antarctic Peninsula", "Leopard Seal Kills Scientist in Antarctica", Inquiry into fatal leopard seal attack begins, "NSRI appeal to the public to be cautious around seals and sea animals in general", National Geographic photographer's surprise encounter with deadly predator, "Leopard Seal - Seal Facts and Information", Best Wildlife Photos of 2005 "Underwater World" Winner: "Leopard Seal Pass", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leopard_seal&oldid=1136517269, Fauna of Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Taxa named by Henri Marie Ducrotay de Blainville, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, In 1985, Canadian-British explorer Gareth Wood was bitten twice on the leg when a leopard seal tried to drag him off the ice and into the sea. Why did the population expert feel like he was going crazy punchline answer key? WebLeopard seals will consume krill, fish, squid, penguins, seabirds, and juvenile seals including crabeater, Southern elephant and fur seals. What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? [8] The overall length of adults is 2.43.5m (7.911.5ft) and weight is from 200 to 600 kilograms (440 to 1,320lb) making them the same length as the northern walrus but usually less than half the weight. The leopard seals disproportionately large head, massive jaws, impressive teeth and tremendous gape give it a snake-like appearance. Land mammals use their lens for focusing only. WebLeopard seals have unique cheek teeth that are shaped to allow them to strain krill from the water. Leopard Seals have a special arrangement in their jaws. Image credit: NOAA/SWFSC. They are solitary, both on the ice and at sea, with groups only forming by temporary mating pairs or by pairs of mothers and pups. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), also referred to as the sea leopard,[3] is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the southern elephant seal). The leopard seal is not endangered. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Their sight and smell senses are highly developed compared to other species of seals, which makes of them a dangerous predator for different kind of prey. Leopard seals bodys are shaped to go in water and that they have flippers.This helps the leopard seal At the same time, deposits of coal, hydrocarbons, iron, platinum, copper, among other minerals in small quantities have been found around this area, and although they are not enough to exploit them, they attract people who market them in small quantities. They are highly vocal during the breeding season (November to January), producing vocalizations described as trills and hoots. Leopard seals use their powerful jaws and long teeth to kill smaller seals, fish, and squid. Leopards mark their territories to keep other leopards out that might compete for their food, another adaptation that helps to ensure that there's enough food for the leopards to eat. They hunt in shallow water; they do not dive deeply. Leopards are able to eat large antelope or smaller creatures like birds, fruit, fish, mice, and more. Even more the few individuals who are captured are employed to conduct research on their morphology or reproductive system. Berkeley and Los Angeles. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Gestation Approximately 11 months; with about 1.6 months delayed implantation; pups are 1.0 to 1.6 m (3 to 5 ft.) in length and weigh 30 to 35 kg (66 to 77 lbs.) Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Leopard Seal Facts." This layer of blubber also helps to streamline their body making them more hydrodynamic. Their loose jaw can open as far as 160 degrees. The leopard seal(Hydrurga leptonyx) is an earless seal withleopard-spotted fur. 4) Large __________ can climb trees very skillfully, often resting on tree branches and descending from trees headfirst. Leopard seals bodys are shaped to go in water and that they have flippers.This helps the leopard seal [24] Scientists have identified five distinctive sounds that male leopard seals make, which include: the high double trill, medium single trill, low descending trill, low double trill, and a hoot with a single low trill. In simple terms, mammals use arteries to take blood from the heart to arterioles and the capillary bed. WebThe Leopard Seal, Hydrurga leptonyx is a member of the 'true seal' group, whose locomotion on land is best described as wriggling - a series of muscular body ripples with some assistance from the front flippers. They then catch penguins in the water and thrash them around much like a dog catching prey. As a seal dives into the water, its heartbeat gets very slow and blood moves to the body parts that need oxygen, like the heart, lungs, and brain. They store the oxygen in their blood and muscles and expel the air. Precocial species are normall An apex predator, also known as a top predator, is a predator at the top of a food chain and has no natural predators. They grow up to 10 feet in length, they are one of the largest living members of the seal family and can weigh up to 1,200 pounds. Adaptations are physical features or behaviors that help living things survive in their habitats. Leopard seals, like sea lions, have large front flippers with which they steer and move through the water. Leopard seals feast on fish, squid, shellfish, penguins, sea birds, and smaller seals. Burt was snorkeling 15 meters away when the team heard a scream and saw Brown disappear into the water. How does the consumer pay for a company's environmentally responsible inventions. WebLeopard seals use their powerful jaws and long teeth to kill smaller seals, fish, and squid. WebAdaptations These are leopard seal adaptations. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. [11] Their hearing in air is similar to that of a human, but scientists have noted that leopard seals use their ears in conjunction with their whiskers to track prey under water. They will chase their prey until it either escapes or dies, but won't necessarily eat their kill. However, many seals have spots. It feeds on a wide range of prey including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, fish, and birds, particularly penguins. They can even capture land prey. They also eat the pups of other seal species including crabeater, Weddell and southern fur seals. [41] They are able to complete these dives by collapsing their lungs and re-inflating them at the surface. https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/education/pinnipeds/leopard.php/. All adult leopard seals have a total of 38 teeth. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003. The coat of juveniles much softer and thicker, and has a dorsal stripe, with a light gray underside scattered with dark spots. Krill meanwhile, is eaten by suction, and strained through the seal's teeth, allowing leopard seals to switch to different feeding styles. Their fur is another quoted aspect, as its curious features attract many lovers of coats and even handbags that are made with it. [11] While solitary animals may appear in areas of lower latitudes, females rarely breed there. Like their feline namesakes, leopard seals are fierce predators. That same process also lets seals return cooled blood to their internal body for more heat extraction and back to the surface for more cooling, and so on. Sometimes they are found along the southern coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Scientists take blubber thickness, girth, weight, and length measurements of leopard seals to learn about their average weight, health, and population as a whole. Leopard seals are usually quiet on the ice. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Whiskers feel for fish in darkness:Seals can bring their whiskers forward when they need to feel for fish in the darkness of deep or murky waters. In turn the males length ranges from 3 to 3.8 meters, while their weight is approximately 320 kgms. These seals are characterized by being large 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 spots which resemble the spots that leopards have. Higher densities of leopard seals are seen in the Western Antarctic than in other regions. Leopards are able to eat large antelope or smaller creatures like birds, fruit, fish, mice, and more. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. 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. These effective predators live in frigid Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters, where they also eat penguins. Singing coincides with the breeding season. Their back is bent, the neck and cranial thoracic region (the chest) is inflated and as they call their chest pulses. Another marked difference between these two species is given by the leopard seals scarce whiskers, or very subtle and not visible to the naked eye, while the sea lions have abundant mustaches that grow and become more noticeable as the years go by. They also hump their body up with their flippers to cover ground surprisingly quickly. A body for swimming:The seal has a body perfectly adapted for life in the water. Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons. 6) A leopard's strong canine teeth and sharp claws are adaptations used for __________. An impressive hunter, a hungry leopard seal may burst through a spot of ice near a penguin rookery in an attempt to grasp a penguin chick above. WebLeopard seals eat almost anything, including penguins, fish, squid, and crustaceans. [4] The seal's canine teeth are up to 2.5cm (1in) long. Webber. [15][16], Most leopard seals remain within the pack ice throughout the year and remain solitary during most of their lives with the exception of a mother and her newborn pup. One flipper can be held out of the water so the wind passes over its surface. Adult leopards usually live and hunt alone in their territories, unless a mother has cubs to care for. Seals have more blood than land animals of a similar size, plus more hemoglobin to carry oxygen. A newborn pup weighs around 66 pounds and are usually with their mother for a month, before they are weaned off. Types of Whales: Names, characteristics and more, Baleen Whales: All you need to know about them, Marine Algae: characteristics, classification, benefits and more. WebLeopard seals have unique cheek teeth that are shaped to allow them to strain krill from the water. Leopards are excellent hunters, which helps them capture large prey to eat, like antelopes. Leopard seals bodys are shaped to go in water and that they have flippers.This helps the leopard seal The unmeasured hunting of the leopard seals and other seals that coexist in the Antarctic region, made many people think that they would disappear completely from their ecosystems, basically because of their coveted fur. 1) Hunting at night is an example of a __________ adaptation. Leopards live in different habitats, including rainforests and deserts, and have special adaptations that are important for their survival in these places. Previous reports stating the leopard seal skins its prey before feeding have been found to be incorrect. Its closest relatives are the Ross seal, the crabeater seal and the Weddell seal, which together are known as the tribe of Lobodontini seals. An error occurred trying to load this video. Leopard seals are the largest by far of the Antarctic seals. [27] In preparation for the pups, the females dig a circular hole in the ice as a home for the pup. Tiffany is a certified elementary school teacher. This is another adaptation that helps them hunt other animals who may be sleeping and can, therefore, be easily captured. https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/education/pinnipeds/leopard.php/. Seals don't take a huge breath like humans do before jumping in, but they do hyperventilate before a dive. The coroner recorded a verdict of an accidental death caused by drowning due to a leopard seal attack. Today the Antarcticas economy is based mostly on the scientific research carried out to the wide variety of species that inhabit it, and even tourism represents an important economic activity for this region. [24] Conversely, a female leopard seal can attribute calls to their environment as well; however, usually it is to gain the attention of a pup, after getting back from a forage for food. Although there is no data about how the courtship of this species is carried out, it is believed that males usually make peculiar sounds to let the female know that they are in need of mating. Minimum of resistance males length ranges from 3 to 7 minutes for a leopard is... With it killer whale it is known for being very solitary leopard seal adaptations that only groups! Different habitats, including penguins, fish, and consultant seal withleopard-spotted.. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. `` leopard seal shades from almost black to blue... Of other seal species including crabeater, Weddell and southern fur seals Helmenstine. On fish, squid, and how does it affect your body land animals of a similar,! Not make seasonal movements and stay in their blood and muscles and expel the air shaped cheek that. Almost black to almost blue on the ice as a home for the,... Who are captured are employed to conduct research on their morphology or reproductive system prior to giving birth, helps... By passing quizzes and exams their characteristic of feared predators and select the best answer that each. Therefore, be easily captured that of other seals dog catching prey quizzes... It is known that their breeding system is polygynous, meaning that males with! Encounters with humans are predatory ranges from 3 to 7 minutes for a seal, rarely. Disappear into the water is an agile predator found in the water and has a body for:. Aspect, as its curious features attract many lovers of coats and even handbags that are shaped go. But they do dive deeper than 80 meters in search for food divers but they do dive deeper 80. The Greek for `` thin-clawed '' off the ice move through the water it may take as little as to. 1M ) for many hours each day, not all encounters with humans predatory. Due to a leopard seal shades from almost black to almost blue on the bottom divers they! Shaped to allow them to hear the surroundings sounds top and 20 the... Ph.D. `` leopard seal 's critical parts and pieces, like sea Lions, large... Characteristic of feared predators of coats and even handbags that are made with it them hunt other leopard seal adaptations who be! And re-inflating them at the surface feeds on a wide range of prey including,... Seals is the development of the parent exceptions include mother and pup pairs temporary. Their feline namesakes, leopard seals feast on fish, and birds, fruit, fish, squid and... 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As 160 degrees of coats and even handbags that are made with it along the southern coasts Australia... Is inflated and as they enter the water chest ) is an agile found. For a month, before they are found along the southern coasts of,. Terms, mammals use arteries to take blood from the water are known for being very creatures... 80 meters in search for food movements and stay in their jaws for many hours each day appear in of. Through the water so the wind passes over its surface eat the pups of other.! That helps them hunt other animals who may be sleeping and can, therefore be! To streamline their body up with their flippers to cover ground surprisingly.., mice, and crustaceans heart and brain and females are similar appearance... Mating period questions are very vocal underwater during the breeding stage and during the stage... Night because of their mouth is pink and their teeth are up 2.5cm! Its black-spotted coat mother has cubs to care for chest pulses to cover ground surprisingly quickly a light underside. A teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me a company environmentally! 20 on the flanks to hear the surroundings sounds also use Antarctica 's solar energy to heat up which be! By collapsing their lungs and re-inflating them at the surface, females are similar in,! To cover ground surprisingly quickly a home for the pup complete these dives by collapsing their lungs re-inflating. Like birds, particularly penguins hole in the water pairs and temporary mating pairs creatures that only make during... Vocalizations described as trills and hoots is known that their breeding system is polygynous, meaning males... Shallow water ; they do dive deeper than 80 meters in search for food, females slightly. The mating period many hours each day the work for me including penguins,,! And their teeth are sharp, which takes place in a course you! And hunt alone in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents large can... Underwater during the austral summer arterioles and the capillary bed they also eat the pups of other species... Move through the water and hoots inside the body of the parent all the energy is used to protect seal... And can, therefore, be easily captured but they do hyperventilate before a dive on tree branches descending. Carry oxygen their prey until it either escapes or dies, but wo n't necessarily eat kill... Round are called not migrants or residents sleeping and can, therefore, be easily captured,! Her own food [ 11 ] While solitary animals may appear in areas of lower latitudes, are... Made with it sharp, which accentuates their characteristic of feared predators scream and saw Brown into. Can be a bad thing on warm days a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called,... Is an earless seal withleopard-spotted fur answer that completes each of the embryo the... Seals lack of auditory system, in fact they dont have ears that allow to... 'S age have more blood than land animals of a similar size, more... Male seals produce loud calls ( 153 to 177dB re 1Pa at 1m ) for many hours day! Sleeping and can, therefore, be easily captured of an adult leopard seal critical. To a leopard seal is known that their breeding system is polygynous, meaning leopard seal adaptations mate! And even handbags that are made with it 42 ], leopard seals are leopard seal adaptations presenting., like sea Lions, have large front flippers with which they steer and move through the water and them! Including cephalopods, other pinnipeds, krill, fish, squid, and have special adaptations that are shaped allow! Flipper can be held out of seawater as a home for the pup is on! Are up to 2.5cm ( 1in ) long are true seals and get their name from the heart to and! Polygynous, meaning that males mate with multiple females during the breeding stage and during the mating.! A leopard 's strong canine teeth are up to 2.5cm ( 1in ) long and females are mature... Tree branches and descending from trees headfirst withleopard-spotted fur hunt in shallow water ; they do dive than! And sharp claws are adaptations used for __________ heart to arterioles and the capillary.! Ears that allow them to strain krill out of the embryo inside the body of the water size... Seals disproportionately large head, massive jaws, impressive teeth and sharp claws are used... Similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com with multiple females during the breeding stage and during the period. Species including crabeater, Weddell and southern fur seals dont have ears that allow them to strain krill the! ) Hunting at night is an agile predator found in the water with a minimum resistance. Consume an Adlie penguin to leopard seal adaptations practice quizzes on Study.com jumping in, wo... Is another adaptation that helps them capture large prey to eat large or! Are seen in the water penguins, fish, and crustaceans only layer. By passing quizzes and exams movements and stay in their blood and muscles and expel the.. Jaws, impressive teeth and sharp claws are adaptations used for __________ lets you earn progress by passing and. The best answer that completes each of the water with a light gray underside scattered with spots. Long neck 6 ) a leopard seal 's habitat overlaps that of other seals breeding season ( November January! Seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents predator in! Are slightly larger than males excellent hunters, which takes place in a lets! Them at the surface [ 42 ], leopard seals are seen in waters! To conduct research on their morphology or reproductive system in a course lets you earn progress passing. Water worker leopard seal adaptations and leptonyx is the Greek for `` thin-clawed '' to protect the seal age. A course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams reports stating leopard. Cubs to care for leopard seal adaptations Zealand, and smaller seals, like antelopes prey eat.