First evidence that leopard seals feed on sharks, researchers say
by Eva Corlett in Wellington from on (#5T4QF)
The unusual discovery in New Zealand waters is based on the remains of scat and scars on seal's bodies
In a world first, New Zealand leopard seals have been found to feed on sharks, making them part of a tiny and exclusive club of marine predators that do so.
The study, led by Krista van der Linde of leopardseals.org, found shark remains in the scat of leopard seals, and visible signs of struggle with sharks on seals' bodies, indicating the marine mammals predate on sharks, rather than scavenge their remains.
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