Leopard Seals in New Zealand are fascinating visitors, this a brief outline of them by a non expert, also someone who has mixed feelings when I see them. I have seen them on the Otago coast and on the west coast of Stewart Island but their - mouth full if sharp teeth, permanent grin and reptile like body make me unsettled by them.

Leopard seals, known scientifically as Hydrurga leptonyx, are intriguing marine mammals. They occasionally visit New Zealand’s shores but primarily inhabit the Antarctic pack ice. They are known to venture northward into the southern ocean, reaching as far as New Zealand during the autumn and winter months.

Habitat and Range: Their primary habitat is the Antarctic pack ice but the ones I have seen are visitors to New Zealand’s South and Stewart Islands.

Diet and Hunting Behavior: Leopard seals are apex predators with a diverse diet that includes krill, fish, squid, and other seals. They are particularly known for their skill in hunting penguins, often catching them after underwater pursuits or as they re-enter the water from ice floes. Their hunting technique is brutal; they grip the penguin’s skin with their teeth and shake it until the skin tears away.

Conservation Status: In New Zealand, leopard seals are classified as native residents and are considered naturally uncommon. Their global population is estimated to be between 222,000 and 440,000 individuals. Despite their fearsome reputation, leopard seals are generally solitary animals and pose little threat to humans, although there have been rare instances of attacks.