What We Do Not Yet Know: teacher key

Leopard Seals, grade 12 edition, written for 12th grade and up. Scientists say they know little about leopard seals. See where counts, lifespans, pregnancy and birthplaces are still being worked out.

Read the book. Print this page for the key.

Questions and answers

1. Why do scientists say they know little about leopard seals?
   • The seals live in cities
   • The seals live alone in the Antarctic pack ice (answer)
   • The seals are very loud
2. What did the acoustic survey of the Davis Sea estimate?
   • 59 leopard seals
   • 5 million leopard seals
   • 5,926 leopard seals (answer)
3. How long was the older record for the longest leopard seal dive?
   • About 2 minutes
   • About 15 minutes (answer)
   • About 3 hours
4. A review found most birth records came from outside Antarctica. What does that suggest?
   • Leopard seals may not give birth only on Antarctic pack ice (answer)
   • All leopard seals are born in zoos
   • Pups never swim
5. What does contradicts mean in: the review contradicts the long-standing idea?
   • Agrees with
   • Measures
   • Says the opposite (answer)

Words

• estimate: a best guess
• acoustic: using sound
• contradicts: says the opposite
• weaned: done nursing