Flynn Webb's video of what appears to be a dead seal was not supposed to feature a movie-style jump scare.
Key points:
- 17-year-old Eyre Peninsula local Flynn Webb took a now-viral video of a leopard seal
- Leopard seals are inhabit the Antarctic but have been found as far north as Queensland
- They can grow up to 300-400kg and up to three metres long
In a TikTok video that has racked up almost 16 million views, Flynn can be seen approaching what he thought was a dead leopard seal.
The 17-year-old from Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsula had heard there was a seal out at Fishery Bay so hopped in his car to go and have a look.
ABC North and West SA
)"It looked pretty dead and wasn't moving so we thought we would go and take a closer look," he said.
"Curiosity got the better of me to go up to it.
"I went and touched it to see what it felt like and it was still alive.
The amateur fisherman was not the only community member to spy the natural predator, with many Eyre Peninsula residents sharing their footage and pics online.
According to anecdotal reports from locals the sea leopard has now headed back to sea.
"We left it alone pretty soon after that and then rangers were called," Flynn said.
Far from home
Peter Shaughnessy, an honorary research associate at the South Australian Museum, has more than 20 years of experience with the CSIRO and has previously travelled to the Antarctic.
He said it was a bit unusual to see an Antarctic leopard seal so far away from home.
"They tend to come ashore in late winter when the pack ice melts and they are short of food."
Supplied: Matt Tusar
)Mr Shaugnessy said that before 2017, there had only been two leopard seals recorded on the shore at Fisheries Bay.
"Between 2017 and 2019 we have now had seven records of them, which is pretty amazing," he said.
Mr Shaughnessy said the condition that a leopard seal would be in by the time it reaches Australian shores is very different to its normal state.
"I've seen adult leopard seals grow to about 300-400 kilos and three metres long," he said.
"The leopard seals we see here are usually juvenile and they aren't in very good condition."
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'They've eaten people'
Flynn said he did not know much about the Antarctic leopard seal, but from what he did know he kept his distance.
"And its teeth looked pretty crazy and weird."
Mr Shaughnessy said that in Antarctica leopard seals were at the top of the food chain, sometimes eating other seals.
"They are well known to approach boats with tourists on them in Antarctica," he said.
"I've even seen people that have been bitten by them."
Though Flynn was lucky to have left the leopard seal alone after the viral video was taken, Mr Shaughnessy had a simple warning for those who might try and approach the predator.
TikTok fame
Of his newfound TikTok fame, Flynn said it was unbelievable, with comments coming in from all around the world.
Supplied: Aidan Ricketts
)"All of the comments are just about Aussies and how crazy we are," he said.
"There's a fair few people that have asked me about [the video] at school but I don't think anything is going to change much."
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Leopard seal causes jump scare in South Australian teen's viral video - ABC News
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