Head to head
Ross Seal vs Leopard Seal
Both seals live largely solitary lives around Antarctica, but one remains a scientific mystery while the other sits at the very top of the Southern Ocean's seal food chain.
| Ross Seal | Leopard Seal | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ommatophoca rossii | Hydrurga leptonyx |
| Role in ecosystem | Not a major predator, solitary and mysterious | Antarctica's top seal predator |
| Diet | Squid and fish | Krill, fish, squid, penguins, other seals |
| Size | Not documented as unusually large | Females up to 3.8 m, powerfully built |
| Temperament | Solitary but not aggressive | Solitary, sometimes aggressive toward divers |
| Vocalisations | Warbling, siren-like calls | Loud, musical trills and moans underwater |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Ocean, polar | Polar, ocean, coastal |
Ross Seal vs Leopard Seal: common questions
Which one preys on other seals and penguins?
The leopard seal is the predator here, hunting penguins and other seals directly, while the Ross seal instead feeds mainly on squid and fish without preying on other marine mammals.
Which one is considered the more mysterious, less-studied species?
The Ross seal is considered one of the least studied seal species in the world, while the leopard seal, despite also being solitary, is comparatively well documented as Antarctica's top seal predator.
Do both produce distinctive underwater calls?
Yes, both are known for unusual vocalisations, with the Ross seal producing a warbling, siren-like call and the leopard seal producing loud, musical trills and moans that can carry for kilometres underwater.