Most dangerous pinniped

The carnivorous leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is the only species with a reputation for apparently unprovoked attacks on people.  There are a number of documented cases of leopard seals suddenly lunging through cracks in the ice to snap at people's feet.  Divers have also been attacked on at least one occasion and there are instances of several people being chased across the ice over distances of up to 100 m (330 ft).      Leopard seals can grow to a maximum length of 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) weighing up to 450 kg (990 lb).  Althought they have a fearsome reputation, experts agree that most cases of attacks are either provoked or mistakes by the seal confusing the dark vertical shape of a person to that of an emperor penguin.