Leopard Seal  |  

Hydrurga leptonyx

 

A large seal with a large head, long snout, gaping jaws and a long slender body. Dark grey to silver with darker grey flippers and spotting on the shoulders, throat and sides. Males are generally smaller than females. Body length up to 350 cm.

Government evidence of impact of climate change:

Expand all Close all

  • IUCN Red List Assessment, Hydrurga leptonyx

    Leopard Seals depend on sea ice for reproduction and at some time in the future they could be adversely affected by a reduction in sea ice due to continued climate warming.

    Learmonth et al. (2006) list the effects of global climate change on Leopard Seals as unknown.

    The effects of loss of large amounts of ice on the Antarctic continent; general climate warming; or sea level rises; on Antarctic ocean circulation and productivity and on Antarctic marine resources such as Seals are unknown.

    Find out more
Return to Search