Leopard seals and penguins share a classic predator-prey relationship. As powerful and agile hunters, leopard seals often lurk near the edges of ice or beneath the surface, waiting to ambush unsuspecting penguins as they dive into or out of the water. Penguins make up a significant portion of a leopard seal’s diet—especially during the summer breeding season, when large colonies gather near the shore. Though penguins are alert and quick to flee, leopard seals rely on their speed, stealth, and ra