Leopard Seal Encounters

It has been a quite a wait, but it was well worth it. Out of all the creatures living on this earth (that we know about) the Leopard Seal has been on the top of my list ever since I learned of its existence. Why am I getting so excited about a seal that reaches over 12 feet and can put down 20+ penguins a day without blinking? Maybe a few pictures can help answer that question…

Outside of Killer Whales there are no marine mammals regarded as such pure and cunning hunters. Patrolling the waters of the Southern Ocean, Leopard Seals are mainly found in Antarctica.

Though not as quick as the variety of penguin species that they hunt, they use the surrounding icebergs to hide until the opportune moment when the penguins leave their nesting grounds and reenter the water.

Able to open their mouth to a gaping 120 degrees, these Leopard Seals take quick hold of their prey before thrashing them violently in order to remove the skin and feathers entirely from the captured penguins.

Vicious? Yes. Beautiful? Absolutely. Continuing to dive in Antarctic waters I can only hope that one is curious enough to one day swim over and interact with me.