Scientists from the National Antarctic Science Center recorded an unusual scene while working in the ocean: a leopard seal tried to reach a kryleiid seal resting on an ice floe for more than 20 minutes.
"It seems that the kryleiid was not very happy with such attention, but the leopard did not give up," the center said. Scientists have put forward several possible explanations for this behavior.
According to one version, the leopard could see the young kryleiid as potential prey, because, despite the common family of the Seals, leopard seals sometimes hunt other seals. Another hypothesis is that the predator wanted to take possession of the ice, because these animals are very territorial and are able to chase away even polar boats. It is also possible that the leopard's behavior was playful - sometimes animals just have fun in this way.
"Since no one knows exactly what was happening, we suggest you invent a dialogue between these seals," the researchers noted.
Everyone is invited to join the creative competition in the comments under the post of the National Antarctic Science Center on Facebook. The most creative options will be voiced in the video, and their authors will receive gifts - exclusive stickers with penguins. Proposals are accepted until 9:00 am on August 7.
We remind you that for the second time in history, Ukrainian scientists took a biopsy from killer whales in Antarctica.
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