Sleek, spotted, and built for the extremes, the leopard seal rules the icy waters of Antarctica. They are the third-largest seal species on Earth, reaching up to 12 feet in length and can weigh up to a whopping 1,100 lbs! With jaws powerful enough to crush bone, this apex predator fills the same role in the Southern Ocean that polar bears do in the Arctic. Yet leopard seals are surprisingly versatile hunters. Krill, tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans, can make up as much as 80% of their diet when larger prey is scarce. With specialized teeth, they can filter krill from the water like a whale. Although they dominate in Antarctica, sightings are becoming more common along the southern edges of Africa, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Our cofounder paulnicklen recounts the first time he encountered these misunderstood predators in his upcoming essay with katiecouricmedia. Sign up for Ripple Effect at the link in our bio to get it sent straight to your inbox next week! Video by pa...