Leopard Underwater Video Study

leopard underwater

A recent video study of the life of the leopard seal has revealed a fascinating aspect of its behavior: it scavenges animal carcasses. In addition to scavenging, the leopard seal may be engaged in food caching or hoarding, which is a technique used by animals to store food for later use. These researchers have collected 50 hours of footage from the animal, which has provided a unique glimpse into the life of this endangered species.

The leopard is one of the most vocal creatures on the seas. In the austral summer, males produce a distinctive call that lasts several hours. They hang upside down while singing and rock back and forth. Their chests, necks, and cranial thoracic region are inflated, and their pulses are noticeable during vocalization. These calls are separated into two different phases: silencing and vocalizing. In the video below, the leopard is performing a song.

The leopard seal is a polar bear-sized predator with razor-sharp canine teeth. Their size and razor-sharp teeth make them capable of decimating entire prey populations. A graduate student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography named Doug Krause is leading the research. His team uses unmanned aerial vehicles to film the animals. They also use small video cameras called Crittercams to film their activities. This process is completely non-invasive and does not harm the animals.