Creature Feature

Hydrurga leptonyx

 Second largest species of seal in the Antarctic  Bulls are 8–10 ft and weigh 440-1,000 lbs  Cows are 7-11 ft in length and weigh ,300 lbs  Is a true seal and swims with its hind limbs  Has powerful and highly developed forelimbs similar to sea lions  Apex predator  Thick layer of blubber

 Antarctic's equivalent of the polar bear and is the top predator on the continent  Smaller seals eat krill and small squid; larger seals eat king and emperor penguins  Patrols water near ice  Kills the swimming bird by grabbing the feet  Then shakes the penguin vigorously  Beating its body against the surface of the water repeatedly until the penguin is dead

 Listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN  Has not been commercially hunted  May be very aggressive towards humans  However attacks are very rare

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