![]() They are typically non-aggressive and cannot easily bite a person because of their small mouth. They feed mostly on small fish and juvenile octopus. Sea snakes seem to be able to choose whether or not to release their venom, as there are accounts of humans being bitten but not injected. The leopard seal is one of Antarctica’s most deadly marine predators.īites are rarely felt at the time, but if the snake releases its venom, consequences can include paralysis, headaches, vomiting and stiffness, as well as acute renal failure, suffocation and cardiac arrest due to the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. Their range includes Antarctica itself, as well as most sub-Antarctic islands and southern areas of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. Leopard seals can reach up to 12 feet long and weigh 1,300 pounds. They are second only to orcas, their only real predator, on the Antarctic food chain. They have a diverse diet - while they prey mostly on penguins and other seals, their teeth are uniquely adapted to sieve krill from the water as well as tear flesh. A leopard seal’s canines are approximately 1 inch long, making them its most fearsome weapon. These seals employ a particularly violent method of hunting penguins. They typically lie in wait at the edges of the ice shelf, from where they seize the birds as they enter the ocean. The seal beats the penguin against the surface of the water until it dies, whereupon the seal tears the bird into smaller pieces by shaking it in its teeth from side to side. Although isolated cases of leopard seals acting aggressively towards humans and even occasionally attacking them have been documented, they are also naturally inquisitive. Canadian photographer Paul Nicklen captured images of a leopard seal interacting playfully with him, even presenting him with dead penguins. Other than as a prized angling target, Atlantic blue marlin have few natural predators.
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