QUESTION:
Have you ever observed a penguin being eaten?  By what?

        Fourth graders in Greeley, CO, USA 
        Ms. Heisler's Class


ANSWER from David Lott, Researcher, Palmer Station, Antarctica 
            Fri, 14 Feb 1997 16:37:54 -0500

Dear Fourth Graders and Ms. Heisler,

Yes, I have.  The leopard seals that live down here are quite good 
predators of penguins.  They usually take penguins that are swimming 
in the water.  However, the other day a leopard seal actually crawled 
onto land a couple of feet to get one.  It was quite amazing. 
 
When the adults are still nesting, both their eggs and their baby 
chicks are susceptible to predation by skuas.  These birds fly close 
to a penguin colony and wait for the best time to swoop down and grab 
their prey.


Thanks for your question!

David Lott