Leopard Seal Eats A Penguin, Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, Southern Ocean

The leopard seal is classified under the family Phocidae. Its closest relatives are the Ross seal, crabeater seal and the Weddell seal, which together are known as the lobodontine seals. All these seals descend from the superfamily Pinnipeda, which evolved from bear-like ancestors. They have diverged from other taxa in the order Carnivora.
The leopard seal has many features analogous to other species. For example the forearm and hand bones are similar in structure to those found in many mammal, reptile, and bird species. However, in the leopard seal, the fingers are covered in a web of skin, which they use to propel themselves through the water.
The leopard seals share homologous features with its close relatives, the lobodontine seals. They all have dark fur on the tops of their bodies and lighter fur on their underbellies. Though the colors vary between these species, the colored fur serves the same function, which is camouflage against predators and as it stalks its prey.