A solitary creature named after its distinct spotted fur, the leopard seal is endowed with a large head and wide jaws containing canines measuring up to … Full text views reflects PDF downloads, PDFs sent to Google Drive, Dropbox and Kindle and HTML full text views. The geographic origin of the Panthera is most likely northern Central Asia. There have only been a few recorded leopard seal attacks, including a single death in 2003 involving an accidental drowning. The leopard seal is named for its black-spotted coat. for this article. While penguins and other seals are their normal prey, humans have been targeted in truly terrifying seal attacks, with at least one documented fatality. A spokeswoman for the BAS said that Ms Brown was snorkelling at her study site in the bay adjacent to the research station with her snorkelling "buddy" when the seal suddenly attacked. Leopard Seal Skull - The leopard seal is native to Antarctica and a handful surrounding islands including the Falklands, Kerguelen, South Georgia and South Shetland. This data will be updated every 24 hours. The only predator of the leopard seal is the occasional killer whale and humans. Stewart, Brent S. Total loading time: 0.291 Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Hooker, Sascha K. The leopard seal’s disproportionately large head, massive jaws, impressive teeth and tremendous gape give it a snake-like appearance. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) said yesterday a rescue boat was launched immediately by her colleagues who saw the incident from the shore, but attempts to resuscitate the marine biologist failed. 100 1. Boveng, Peter L. Last Edit: Jan 5, 2012 15:11:59 GMT -5 by Super Communist The de… The seals reach maturity at the age of 4 to 5 years. In July 2003 Kirsty Brown, a marine biologist at Rothera Research Station (West Antarctic Peninsula), was attacked and drowned by a leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx).As a direct consequence, a study was initiated to analyse interactions between humans and leopard seals over the last thirty years utilising humanistic and observational data. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. Two colleagues on the shore who saw the incident immediately went to her rescue. It can be a dangerous endeavor to try to study these creatures, and in one case, leopard seals have been known to kill a human. "isLogged": "0", We know that leopard seals are large, formidable predators, but exactly what they’re doing below the waterline has long remained a mystery. Leopard seals are earless seals. The leopard seal is named for its black-spotted coat. The death of a British marine biologist in Antarctica last month is thought to be the first human fatality caused by a leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx). HUMAN-LEOPARD SEAL INTERACTIONS 63 female based on the size distribution described by Rogers (2002). Over this base color, leopard seals are dappled with gray or black spots. If you should have access and can't see this content please. Females are generally slightly larger than the males on average. The females are larger than the males, but the male individuals still quite large compared to other types of seals. "hasAccess": "0", Leopard seals have never been systematically exploited. Orcas and Leopard seals are apex predators in Antarctic and sub-antarctic waters. Shuert, Courtney R. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? The coat is counter-shadedwith a silver to dark gray blend and a distinctiv… However, on average, it weighs around 840 pounds. Honestly a leopard seal would be hard pressed to do any significant damage. See this image? Hindell, Mark Both smart, bold and vicious hunters. Kirsty’s incident is the only known account of its kind, given that physical contact occurred at the surface of the water, and the seal had not been seen prior to the attack. The Leopard seal bites the Elephant seal on the tail, which was a good target for the start. Ms Brown will be flown back to Britain after an inquest is held into the death, which will be organised under the auspices of the British Antarctic Territory, the governing body for the region. The Leopard seal bites the Elephant seal on the tail, which was a good target for the start. McDonald, Birgitte I. He added: 'They are the only seal capable of attacking a human and as such need to be treated with due respect.' 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