Despite having a reputation for cuteness, seals are also well-known for being predators, which aren't exactly the most beloved animals. Some, like the leopard seal, eat penguins, which is a bit of a problem, considering that people love penguins. And so, when they're not Ridiculously Cute Critters, fictional seals are often portrayed as either mindless brutes or malevolent monsters. This trope mostly applies to large, stereotypically aggressive seal species such as leopard seals.