Apex predators are awesome!!! Its been my experience with various people from all walks of life that they want to encounter the big, bad predators the most when exploring the natural world. In Antarctica there are two main apex predators - 1) Orca & 2) Leopard seal. *** **THE LEOPARD SEAL** *** [![IMG_2771.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmej6bneEBJss65nR9z2oXEkwTNy64zm8Pk7RyiuLm8u2x/IMG_2771.jpg)](https://steemitimages.com/DQmej6bneEBJss65nR9z2oXEkwTNy64zm8Pk7RyiuLm8u2x/IMG_2771.jpg) *Click Image to view full size.* *** [![IMG_4964.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmar6n2oCopg4haUdLgBH6PwS8DsSYMQv1NF3tc4pvZmPg/IMG_4964.jpg)](https://steemitimages.com/DQmar6n2oCopg4haUdLgBH6PwS8DsSYMQv1NF3tc4pvZmPg/IMG_4964.jpg) *A curious Leopard seal heard my zodiac and lifted his head to investigate. Click image to view full size.* *** However, are the vicious predator as bad as the image is portrayed? They do eat penguins and I understand the well known fact that everyone does love penguins. I get it. They are cute. The stumble around. yep, cute. The first few times I encountered them that is exactly what I though ~ cute. The 10,000th time I encountered them not quite as cute as my initial interactions. However, **50 - 80%** of their diet is actually **KRILL!!!** I know!?!? It typically does surprise a lot of people to know that this apex predator that dramatically eats those cute penguins primarily feeds on a small shrimp looking animal. It appears the stalking of penguins & their colonies only occurs during the summer, as they are in large congregated numbers, which would appear to be easy meal option for the seal. Not as bad as some might have perceived them to be with majority of their time eating something other than penguins. *** *I guess those penguins are not only cute but they must be tasty too...* *** [![IMG_3419.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPjWULoDDLqm3UB2ZHMMYCcqTEBzXz6f9boBFkQGF8gqU/IMG_3419.jpg)](https://steemitimages.com/DQmPjWULoDDLqm3UB2ZHMMYCcqTEBzXz6f9boBFkQGF8gqU/IMG_3419.jpg) *the big reptilian head that is a Leopard seal. Click image to view full size.* *** Thanks for reading and all the support, Steemit!! All stories & photographs are of my own work unless noted under the picture in question. For more stories and photos check out my Instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/thomas_mitchell2912/