[4] Dive duration ranges from less than 2 minutes to just over 20 minutes. Facts about Harp Seals 10: the life span. It is a noisy and highly social animal, spending much time in large colonies. In Latin, its scientific name translates to "ice-lover from … It has thick layer of blubber, which protects it from cold temperature as well as give energy in case food is in short supply. Learn more about this species, which currently has a population over 7.4 million! [28] In 2006, the St. Lawrence hunt officially started on March 25 due to thin ice caused by the year's milder temperatures. When National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen dove into Antarctic waters to observe a leopard seal, the female seal he photographed brought him injured and dead penguins. During mating season, females form large colonies on floating ice and give birth to young. [4] During the spring and summer when seals forage along the pack ice in the Greenland Sea, most dives are less than 50m. If you get the opportunity to take an Antarctic cruise, you may be lucky enough to see a leopard seal in its natural habitat. Latin name: Pagophilus groenlandicus ; Other common names: Greenland seal, saddle seal, saddleback seal; Distinctive features: Irregular horseshoe-shaped band of black on the the back of the adult bull. Corbet, G. B., & Harris, S., eds. This can be an indication of the hydration level of the seal. Leopard seals often wait underwater and propel themselves out of the water to snatch their victim. Young pups are solid white. This species gets its common name from the harp-shaped markings on the back of the otherwise darkly colored adults. [2] The gestation period lasts about 11.5 months, with a fetal development phase of 8 months. When harp seals are in the wild, they have the average lifespan of 30 years. Adult harp seals grow to be from 1.7 to 2 meters (5 ft 7 in to 6 ft 7 in) long and weigh from 115 to 140 kg (254 to 309 lb); the males are slightly larger. It is the most carnivorous species of all bears. Newborn pups weigh 11 kilograms (24 lb) on average and are 80–85 cm (31–33 in) long. In Latin, its scientific name translates to "ice-lover from Greenland," and its taxonomic synonym, Phoca groenlandica translates to "Greenlandic seal."[2]. The "true seals", such as elephant seals and harp seals, do not have external ear structures and are not capable of walking, but rather must roll or wriggle from place to place when on land. The harp seal is an aquatic creature, but a large portion of its life revolves around the ice. The harp seal, one of the more abundant seal species, is at the heart of the debate over sealing. Their natural life span averages between 30 and 35 years, but they have to contend with arctic predators including polar bears and killer whales. Whelping occurs on haul-out sites on floating pack ice from mid-February to early March, and the female mates again as soon as her pup is weaned. The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is an earless seal with leopard-spotted fur. Harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) have evolved life history strategies to exploit seasonal sea ice as a breeding platform. 7 Super Harp Seal Facts. The baby harp seal (pup) has a yellow-white coat at birth, but after three days, the coat turns white and stays white for about 12 days. Galapagos Fur Seal. A singing seal hangs upside down, with a bent neck and pulsating inflated chests, rocking from side to side. Seal pups primarily eat krill, but once they learn to hunt, they eat penguins, squid, shellfish, fish, and smaller seals. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), scientists once believed there may be over 200,000 leopard seals. Each male has a distinct call, although the calls change depending on the seal's age. The leopard seal is earless, about 10 to 12 feet long (females slightly larger than males), weighs between 800 and 1000 pounds, and always seems to be smiling because the edges of its mouth curl upward. In 2005, the Independent Veterinarians' Working Group (IVWG) recommended a three-step process for hunters to kill the seals with little or no pain for the seals, as long as the process is completed in rapid succession. They are the only seals that regularly hunt warm-blooded prey. Harp seal adults weigh about 120 kg and are about 1.6 metres long. Harp seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the United States. Harp seal pups are born with thick white fur, which keeps them warm and provides perfect camouflage against the snow. While attacks of humans are rare, cases of aggression, stalking, and fatalities have been documented. About 70,000–90,000 animals are taken from the population off the coast of Greenland. An additional 10,000 animals are allocated to First Nations hunters. [18] The fertilized egg grows into an embryo which remains suspended in the womb for up to three months before implantation, to delay birth until sufficient pack ice is available. [4], Lactating female harp seals spend about 80% of the time in the water and 20% of the time on the fast-ice weaning or in close proximity to their pups. [9] Blubber also streamlines its body for more efficient swimming. MORE IN SEAL CATEGORY. The pup is born with a yellowish-white coat which becomes white after three days for two to three weeks. Its cones are most sensitive to blue-green spectra, while its rods help sense light intensity and may provide some color discrimination. In the western N. Atlantic population segment, foraging takes place both near and offshore of Newfoundland. Account & Lists Account Returns & Orders. Adult harp seals grow to be 1.7 to 2.0 m (5 ft 7 in to 6 ft 7 in) long and weigh from 115 to 140 kg (254 to 309 lb). Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 28). The bear spends more than half of its life in water which is why it is also called marine mammal. The small pup will have to grow fast. [14] However, capelin is understood as the preferred prey item in both locales. The smallest harp seal ever recorded is 1.2 metres (4 feet). On ice, the seal can press its fore-flippers to its body and its hind-flippers together to reduce heat loss. The animals were emaciated, likely due to humans competing for their prey.[25]. Harp seals are considered sexually dimorphic, as the males are slightly larger, and more decorated. and measuring almost 3 feet long. As with most phocids, the mother harp seal requires vast amounts of energy to ensure sufficient mass transfer to the growing, weaning pup, however they still remain within their aerobic dive limit for 99% of dives. [2], Around 13–14 months old, the pups molt again, becoming "bedlamers". Weaning is abrupt; the mother turns from nursing to promiscuous mating, leaving the pup behind on the ice. 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41671A45231087.en. Leopard seals are highly dangerous predators. Most fur seal pups are born with a black-brown coat that molts at 2–3 months, revealing a brown coat that typically gets darker with age. Lifespan/Longevity. Leopard seals live a long time for a seal, partly because they have few predators. ThoughtCo. This gregarious species gather together during the breeding season to form dense breeding grounds that contain up to 2,000 seals per sq km. Guadalupe Fur Seal. About 5 to 6 feet ... Harp Seal. Harp Seal. Although they consume a wide variety of prey, their diet is centered on small fish such as capelin (a species of smelt) and cod. The catch was 22,474. This sense may also warn of an approaching predator. In females, it does not emerge. Stun the seal on the head using tools, such as a rifle or a club, to immediately kill the animal or cause it to permanently lose consciousness. Leopard Seal. [4] In the late fall and winter, dive depth has been found to increase, particularly in the Denmark Strait, where the mean dive depth was found to be 141m. Harp seals can strand on Atlantic coasts, often in warmer months, due to dehydration and parasite load. Endangered Coho Salmon Released into Pescadero … They provide a touch sense with labeled line coding, and underwater, also respond to low-frequency vibrations, such as movement. The leopard seal is not endangered. 35 yrs. After whelping, as the ice recedes, the harp seals migrate back to the Arctic. In Great Britain, a total of 31 vagrants were recorded between 1800 and 1988,[23], More recently, they reached Lindisfarne in Northumberland in September 1995,[24] and the Shetland Islands in 1987. It mates, moults and gives birth on the ice. Arctic cod yields a higher diet percentage nearshore, while capelin is more prominent offshore. ICES 2001. Lifespan: 12-15 years; Diet: Carnivore; Habitat: Sea around Antarctica; Population: 200,000; Conservation Status: Least Concern; Description . After that, it will be left to fend for itself. Menu. The Canadian seal hunt is monitored by the Canadian government. Harbor seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. "It's all relative: allometry and variation in the baculum (os penis) of the harp seal, "Rounds Notes | National Marine Life Center", "Current Status of Northwest Atlantic Harp Seals, (Pagophilus groenlandicus)", "Estimated Prey Consumption by Harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), Hooded seals (Cystophora cristata), Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Atlantic Canada", "Selective foraging by harp seals Phoca groenlandica in nearshore and offshore waters of Newfoundland, 1993 and 1994", "Predation by Harp Seals in Atlantic Canada: Preliminary Consumption Estimates for Arctic Cod, Capelin and Atlantic Cod", "Food consumption estimates of Barents Sea harp seals", ICES/NAFO Working Group on Harp and Hooded Seals, Smithsonian Institution – North American Mammals: Pagophilus groenlandicus, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harp_seal&oldid=1003869444, Taxa named by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. https://www.thoughtco.com/leopard-seal-facts-4155875 (accessed February 1, 2021). The leopard seal's habitat overlaps that of other seals. Within a few days, it sheds its white coat, reaching the "beater" stage. LIFE SPAN: 13 - 23 years. [27], Hunting has had a significant impact on the population size of Harp Seals. [2], Compared to other phocid seals, the harp seal dives from shallow to moderately deep depths. DoorAndWindow.com is the most comprehensive website for information on replacement windows and doors. [8] A thick coat of blubber insulates its body and provides energy when food is scarce or during fasting. Breeding occurs between mid-February and April, and varies somewhat for each stock. While some kinds of seals live in groups, the leopard seal is solitary. Over the past 150 years, the Harp Seal population has fluctuated from over 9 million to as little as 1 million. These sleek swimmers often hunt for fish and crustaceans at 300 feet (90 meters) and may dive to nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters). They will chase their prey until it either escapes or dies, but won't necessarily eat their kill. However, based on a cost of 10¢ per kWh, a 15-watt CFL will cost about $12 to operate over its 8,000-hour projected lifespan. What sets the leopard seal apart is its elongated head and sinuous body, somewhat resembling a furry eel. [28] The process is as follows: In 2009, this process was included in both the 'Conditions of License' for the Canadian hunt as well as the Canadian Marine Mammal Regulations.[28]. [27], The 2004 West Ice total allowable catch (TAC) was 15,000, almost double the sustainable catch of 8,200. WEIGHT. Management Overview. [17] During this time, the juvenile's "greycoat" grows in beneath the white neonatal coat, and the pup increases its weight to 36 kg (79 lb). Walruses also prey on harp seal females and pups in the White Sea. Bearded Seal. [14], Harp seals spend relatively little time on land compared with time at sea. [3] The harp seal pup often has a yellow-white coat at birth due to staining from amniotic fluid, but after one to three days, the coat turns white and stays white for 2–3 weeks, until the first molt. What sets the leopard seal apart is its elongated head and sinuous body, somewhat resembling a furry eel. However, not all encounters with humans are predatory. [2] Dive depth varies with season, time of day and location. [18] This population is further divided into two separate herds based on the breeding location. Hello Select your address Books Hello, Sign in. Polar bear is also called arctic bear or white bear. However, almost half of the time spent in the water is at the surface, which is well beyond what is expected to recover from their dives. Skip to main content.ca. After abandonment, in the post-weaning phase, the pup becomes sedentary to conserve body fat. Males mature a bit later, typically between ages six and seven. Sometimes they are found along the southern coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Most animals that reach sexual maturity live to over 20 years (Kovacs 2015) and the maximum life span of a harp seal is approximately 30 years. You might think the obvious identifying feature of the leopard seal is its black-spotted coat. [2], The harp seal is a fast ice breeder and is believed to have a promiscuous mating system. They spend a little time on land since they like living underwater. Hooded seals also make long migrations. In 2003, the three-year quota granted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans was increased to 975,000, with a maximum of 350,000 in any two consecutive years. Its retina is rod-dominated and backed by a cat-like and reflective tapetum lucidum, enhancing its low light sensitivity. Leopard seals live in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters of the Ross Sea, Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, South Georgia, and Falkland Islands. https://www.canadiangeographic.ca › article › animal-facts-harp-seal Photo: NOAA Fisheries. At birth, the pup weighs around 66 pounds. [33] The Harp Seal invasions have been harming the area's fisheries.[34]. Life Span. The leopard seal … Harp Seal. [3] The baby harp seal (pup) has a yellow-white coat at birth, but after three days, the coat turns white and stays white for about 12 days. They can grow as long as 6.6 ft and weigh as much as 320lbs. Adults reach 5 feet 7 inches in length. They can weigh up to 180 kilograms (400 pounds). Feature Story. In 2006, 325,000 harp seals, as well as 10,000 hooded seals and 10,400 grey seals were killed. Seals mate in summer and give birth after 11 months gestation to a single pup. Harp seals have an annual migration of some 3,200 km from the Arctic Ocean in the summer months to Newfoundland and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the late winter and spring. It has black harp or wishbone-shaped markings on the back. Harp seals are not strong divers compared with other seal species. However, the seal's molars lock together to make a sieve that allows it to filter krill from the water. [2] Harp seal milk initially contains 25% fat (this number increases to 40% by weaning as the mother fasts) and pups gain over 2.2 kilograms (4.9 lb) per day while nursing, quickly thickening their blubber layer. Females become mature between ages three and seven. Harp seals spend the summer in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland. Whitecoat: After a few days, the Within their large colonies, smaller groups with their own hierarchies form. Other Harp Seal Facts: Harp Seals breed on land, but tend to spend the majority of their lives at sea. In the wild, these animals are believed to live for more than 30 years . According to the Animal Diversity Web, the skin of the polar bear is black and … The maximum life span for the harp seal is 35 years. About 25 to 30 years Length. Environmental changes have dramatically affected species the seals eat, so this number is likely inaccurate. Family: Otariidae. Since 2000, harp seals that are targeted during the hunt are often found to be less than a year old, known as "beaters". Harp seals are a midsized phocid that is silver in colour, with a black face and a characteristic black pattern on the back that resembles a harp. Leopard seal males hang under the ice when they sing. This ‘harp’ joins across the shoulders and curves toward the abdomen, then goes back up toward the hind flippers, where it disappears. In the Spotlight. It’s mothers will only feed it for 12 days, an adaptation to life on the unstable pack ice. Its eyes are pure black. The latter was linked to a mass movement of harp seals into Norwegian waters; by mid-February 1987, 24,000 were reported drowned in fishing nets and perhaps 30,000 (about 10% of the world population) had invaded fjords as far south as Oslo. ("Harp Seals", 2004; Kovacs, 2008; Schliemann, 1990) Range lifespan Status: wild 20 to 35 years; Average lifespan Status: wild 30 years; Typical lifespan Status: wild 20 to 35 years ; Average lifespan Status: wild 30 years; Behavior. [2] They can also redirect blood flow from the periphery to minimize heat loss. Males and females reach sexual maturity between 4-6 years. This peak spring period is generally what is referred to as the "Canadian seal hunt". Harp seals have a life span of 35 years. [17] Females, who remain on the ice, will resist copulation unless underwater. Behavior. Polar bear facts for kids is a collection of some of the most amazing and interesting facts about polar bears.The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the largest terrestrial carnivore in the world. Harp Seal. It is also the most abundant seal species in the northern hemisphere. Most sealing occurs in late March in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and during the first or second week of April off Newfoundland, in an area known as "the Front". Harp Seals are sometimes called “Saddlebacks” due to the saddle-shaped markings on their backs.