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Male or Female?

HOW TO IDENTIFY MALE AND FEMALE LEOPARD SEALS

Male and female pinnipeds are often sexually dimorphic (the two sexes look different). Leopard seal females (♀), when fully grown can be substantially larger than males (♂).

length & weight

Regardless of the size or age of a leopard seal, a clear view (or photograph) of the ventral surface allows the sexes to be differentiated. Both sexes have a scar from the umbilical attachment (belly-button). The males (♂)  have a penile opening approximately half way between the umbilcal scar and the hind flippers, whilst the females (♀) have two small mammary glands which are often visible.

location of penile opening and mammary glands in male and female leopard seals

HAVE YOU SEEN A LEOPARD SEAL?

Click here to report your sighting so we can continue to track the behaviour and movements of leopard seals in New Zealand.