Harp seal

Named after the black, curved marking on their backs that resembles a harp!

AlbertHerring


Harp seal

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

Named after the black, curved marking on their backs that resembles a harp!

Population 7,600,000
50% decline between 1950s – 1970s

The harp seal gets its name from the distinct harp- or wishbone-shaped markings on the back and sides of adults’ bodies, a feature that makes it easily identifiable amidst the icy landscapes it inhabits. They have a unique coloration that varies with their age and wetness. Adults have a pale grey coat that appears steel blue when wet, providing camouflage in the aquatic environment. Their tail and head are black, offering a stark contrast to the white of their front flippers and stomach. The characteristic harp-like markings, which give the species its common name, are a distinguishing feature of adult seals but are absent in juveniles and pups.

Reproductive behavior in harp seals is notable for the brief but intense nursing period. Females nurse their pups for approximately 12 days, during which the pups gain significant weight from their mother’s rich milk. After weaning, the pups must rely on their fat reserves for energy, as they are not yet capable of hunting. During this vulnerable period, they can lose up to 50% of their body weight. It is also during this time that the pups, known as “whitecoats” due to their initial fluffy white fur, molt and develop their silver-grey coat, marking their transition towards adolescence.

The diet of harp seals varies significantly from juveniles to adults, reflecting changes in their nutritional needs and hunting capabilities. Juvenile harp seals primarily feed on shrimp and other small crustaceans, which are easier to catch and digest. As they mature, their diet expands to include fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, requiring more advanced hunting skills and deeper dives. Harp seals are known for their foraging efficiency, utilizing the abundant marine resources of their Arctic and North Atlantic habitats to sustain their populations.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Atlantic Ocean
2015
Arctic Ocean
2015
Canada
2015
Denmark
2015
Vagrant
Faroe Islands
2015
Vagrant
Finland
2015
Vagrant
France
2015
Vagrant
Germany
2015
Vagrant
Greenland
2015
Iceland
2015
Norway
2015
Russia
2015
Spain
2015
Vagrant
Svalbard
2015
United Kingdom
2015
Vagrant
United States
2015
Vagrant

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No