Adult male leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) hauled out on ice in the Gullet near the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, Polar Regions

leopard seal hydrurga leptonyx antarctic peninsula ice cold climate marine mammal resting wild animal wildlife polar regions seal behavior aquatic predator crustacean eater natural habitat arctic environment adult male adaptation ice floe marine ecosystem relaxation antarctic coast sea ice biological diversity antarctic wildlife predatory behavior zoology coastal habitat fur pattern ice habitat ocean predator harsh climate isolated regions fauna nature marine biology wildlife observation coastal ecosystem ice environment apex predator fishing techniques conservation antarctic research ecological studies animal behavior ice formations