ATLANTA (June 24, 2025) – A new study led by researchers at Baylor University and University of Rhode Island and supported by a scientist with Georgia Aquarium has uncovered surprising details about leopard seals' hunting habits, revealing that while the species is broadly considered a generalist predator, individual seals tend to specialize in their diets—sometimes with major consequences for other animals in the ecosystem.
The study, published in Ecology and Evolution, analyzed whisker samples from 34 individual leopard seals in the Western Antarctic Peninsula. The researchers found that most individual seals have unique and consistent feeding strategies. Some specialize in different types of prey, while others switch their diets over time. A handful of these specialists appear to have significantly impacted local prey populations, including the declining Antarctic fur seal population.
"Even though leopard seals as a species eat a wide variety of prey, most individuals actually focus on just a few types of food," said Dr. Emily Sperou, lead author of the study. "This means that a few highly specialized seals can have a much bigger effect on certain prey populations than we previously thought."
Researchers used isotopic analysis of leopard seal whiskers to track their feeding patterns over multiple years. The researchers found that while some seals maintained the same diet year after year, others switched trophic levels—moving between eating smaller prey like krill and targeting larger animals like penguins or seals.
The findings highlight the need to look beyond species-wide dietary trends and examine individual hunting behaviors, particularly in apex predators. "A few specialists can help shape entire ecosystems," said co-author Dr. Patrick Charapata with Georgia Aquarium. "Understanding these patterns in leopard seals and other top predators can help us better predict and manage changes to prey populations and the greater ecosystem these species live in."
This research was made possible through a collaborative effort with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which provided the majority of the leopard seal whisker samples used in the study. The contribution underscores the importance of long-term partnerships in advancing marine science.
This study emphasizes the importance of continued research on leopard seal populations across their range to fully grasp their role in the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
