What do you get when you mix
the cuteness of a seal
with the fierceness of a leopard?
You get this adorable
but dangerous predator.
So the next time you go to Antarctica,
you'd better watch your feet.
Because this cute little guy
could drag you to a cold,
underwater grave.
The leopard seal lives primarily
in Antarctica,
but travels north
through the Southern Ocean,
sometimes as far as New Zealand,
in the autumn and winter.
These marine mammals have long,
slim bodies with large fore flippers.
They have disproportionately large heads,
huge jaws and teeth.
They can grow over 3 m (9.8 ft) in length
and weigh over 500 kg (1,102 lb).
And they are fast swimmers,
reaching up to 38 km/h (24 mph).
They are the only seals that hunt and kill
warm-blooded prey, including other seals.
And their favorite snacks are penguins,
which they skin by grabbing
with their teeth
and shaking violently.
Ouch.
When interacting with humans,
leopard seals show more curiosity
than aggressiveness.
But attacks have happened.
So when you're exploring Antarctica,
what should you do to avoid an attack?
Leopard seals will typically hide
under the water's surface
and wait for the perfect moment
to attack.
They are fast swimmers
and can launch themselves
out of the water,
land on the surface
and grab their prey.
And be careful while you're walking
on thin ice.
Leopard seals might think
you're a penguin and attack you.
When we say "watch them,"
we mean from afar.
You should be at least 20 m (65 ft) away
to guarantee your safety.
If a leopard seal lifts its head
to look at you,
it is aware of you.
Then, if it becomes a staring contest,
it means that the leopard seal
is concerned about your approach.
And if it starts opening its mouth
or "gaping" directly at you
and jerking its head,
that is a threat display.
It wants you to back off.
If it hisses at you,
it's highly agitated.
So you should leave immediately.
If one of these mighty seals attacks you,
do everything in your power
to stay out of the water.
Since they are such powerful swimmers,
you won't be able to do much
if a leopard seal drags you
beneath the surface.
It might grab your leg.
So your best bet would be
to use your other leg
to kick it in the head
as hard as you can.
"Can I kick it?"
"Yes you can!"
Use a rock,
stick,
bottle
or anything you can to pound its head,
and hopefully,
the leopard seal will back down.
If you're with your friends,
ask them to grab you and pull you away.
Even if it hurts your foot,
it's better than being dragged underwater.
If you see a leopard seal in the water,
do not start diving.
And if you're diving and see a leopard seal,
get out of the water as fast as you can.
In 2003,
marine biologist Kirsty Brown
was dragged underwater by a leopard seal
while snorkeling near the
Antarctic Peninsula.
The research team quickly used
a rescue boat
and pulled her from the water.
They tried to resuscitate her,
but they were unable to save her.
They had been snorkeling there
for more than 30 years,
so the attack surprised the team.
But scientists are worried
that increased human traffic in the area
will lead to more
life-threatening encounters.
And if you think leopard seals are bad,
imagine a predator that could
come out of the water
and chase you through the snow.
How fast do you think you'd have to run
to escape a polar bear?
Find out here.