{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "leopard-seal",
  "name": "Leopard Seal",
  "scientificName": "Hydrurga leptonyx",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The leopard seal is a large, solitary predator of the Antarctic pack ice, named for the dark spots scattered across its silvery-grey coat. It grows to about 3.5 m (11.5 ft) long and weighs 200 to 450 kg (440 to 990 lb), with females larger than males. A formidable hunter, it eats penguins, seals, fish and krill and can reach 40 km/h (25 mph) in the water. Wild leopard seals live 20 to 26 years and are listed as Least Concern.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Carnivora",
    "family": "Phocidae",
    "genus": "Hydrurga"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 450,
    "lengthM": 3.5,
    "topSpeedKmh": 40,
    "lifespanYears": 26
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Hydrurga leptonyx"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore — penguins, seals, fish, and krill"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Antarctic and sub-Antarctic pack ice and waters"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "20–26 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "200–450 kg (440–990 lb); females larger"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 40 km/h (25 mph) in water"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Antarctic pack ice and sub-Antarctic islands — circumpolar Southern Ocean with vagrant records to Australia and South America.",
    "continents": [
      "Antarctica",
      "Oceania",
      "Oceans",
      "South America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Hydrurga leptonyx.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Hydrurga%20leptonyx&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Hydrurga leptonyx. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hydrurga_leptonyx/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/leopard-seal/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/leopard-seal/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}