The leopard seal is second largest of the Antarctic seals. It has a spotted coat. That is how it got its name. Its body is silver to dark gray on top.

It has a large head. It has big jaws. It has very long canine teeth. It has unusual teeth for straining krill from the water.

Its body is slim. Its front flippers are long. They are made for speed. Female leopard seals are larger than male ones.

Leopard seals live mostly on the pack ice of Antarctica. They live around it, too. Their home is Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. They usually live alone.

Leopard seals eat penguins, fish and squid. They catch most of their food in the water.

A mother leopard seal gives birth to a single pup. The pup is born on the sea ice. Pups are usually born in November and December.

A pup is nursed for about four weeks.

Words to know

• pup: baby seal
• krill: tiny sea animals
• flippers: swim limbs
• nursed: fed milk