Spot the Difference

Continuing our series on Patagonian wildlife, we take a look at the Leopard Seal. One of three pinnipeds that frequent the waters off Tierra del Fuego and southern Patagonia, the leopard seal is easily distinguishable from the much larger leopard seal and smaller South American fur seal. It also boasts distinctive black spots, hence the name.

The super-sleek sea mammal has something else in common with big jungle cats — it’s a ferocious predator with a wicked set of teeth and clawed fins that help it capture and consume fish, penguins, fur seals and other prey. Next to orcas and large sharks, they are most ferocious and feared predators in the Southern Ocean.

They have even been known to attack humans. A hundred years ago, one of the members of Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition was chased across an ice floe by thousand-pound leopard seal. And there have been several incidents in modern times, including the 2003 death of a British biologist who was dragged underwater (and drowned) by one of the creatures.

Leopard seals have also drifted into modern pop culture. The 2006 Disney movie Happy Feet featured a villainous leopard that tries to much Mumbles, the lovable penguin who stars in the animated film.

There’s also an urban myth (or should we call it a “rural myth”) that leopard seals are especially fond of sinking their teeth into the black rubber pontoons of Zodiacs and other rigid inflatable boats. Are the rumors true? You’ll just have to find out yourself on the Australis excursion to see leopard seals in Parry Fjord or elsewhere in Tierra del Fuego.

Learn more about leopard seals on the new Australis blog Facts About this Predator of the Southern Ocean.