Adult leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), hauled out on ice floe at Dorian Bay near the Antarctic Peninsula, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

hydrurga leptonyx ice floe dorian bay antarctic peninsula southern ocean polar regions marine mammals wildlife antarctic wildlife seal behavior ice habitat natural habitat marine ecosystem seal resting pinniped cold environment wildlife observation antarctic exploration animal behavior coastal ice antarctic fauna seasonal behavior ice covered landscape marine life oceanic wildlife ice formations carnivorous seals antarctic climate sea ice marine conservation predator unique markings ecological habitat solitary animal polar predator wintering seals marine biology seal species ocean mammals ice floes wildlife enthusiasts animal habitat coastal regions drifting ice animal resting wildlife conservation antarctic research natural beauty coastal ecosystems biomes