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Which Antarctic animal is a major predator of adult penguins?
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Antarctica
Paradise Bay, Antarctica.
The primary predators of adult penguins in the Antarctic are the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) and the killer whale (Orcinus orca).12
While leopard seals are well-known for their solitary nature and reputation for ferocity, they are the only seals that regularly feed on penguins, often hunting them at sea or attacking them from beneath thin ice. Killer whales also pose a significant threat to adult and juvenile penguins in the open ocean.312
It is important to note that while these marine predators target adults, other animals such as skuas and giant fulmars primarily prey upon penguin eggs and chicks.14