Adult leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) near Cuverville Island near the Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

leopard seal hydrurga leptonyx antarctic peninsula cuverville island southern ocean marine mammal ice habitat wildlife cold climate polar regions seal resting ocean life natural habitat seal behavior ecological significance predator ice floe antarctic wildlife southern hemisphere marine ecosystem aquatic mammal diving predator seal characteristics icy terrain marine biodiversity frozen landscape seal adaptation wildlife conservation natural environment antarctic species oceanic wildlife coastal habitat marine research ecological balance antarctic conditions seal population biodiversity monitoring wildlife observation marine habitats wildlife exploration