Harp Seal by Ghirin

The harp seal (Phoco groenlandica) is native to the north Atlantic ocean, ranging from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Greenland. The fur of the seals changes with the age of the seal. The coat of the pup is white, turning gray after a few weeks. The adult coat has a background color of silvery gray with dark markings on the head and a dark band running up each flank and over the back that resembles a horseshoe or a harp.

The harp seal spends most of its time in the open sea or on ice. In the spring, the harp seals haul out on the sea ice for moulting, birthing pups, and breeding. Large numbers of seals may come together during this time.

Harp seals feed on fish and crustacenas. They bite breathing holes into the ice so that they have access to fresh air between dives for food.

References:

http://www.pagophilus.org/harpseals.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/166.shtml

Walker's mammals of the World, Nowak, 1999

Photograph:

http://www.pagophilus.org/birth.htm

Created by Ghirin 2003