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The ringed, ribbon, spotted and bearded seals, collectively known as “ice seals,” are Arctic inhabitants. The entire ringed seal lifecycle relies on ice and rapid ice loss in the Arctic causes seal pups to be prematurely separated from their mothers during the milking period. Rapid ice loss and the inability to build dens for protection ...
- Arctic Wolf
Unlike other species of wolf, the Arctic wolf rarely comes...
- Brown Bear
Brown bears were pursued extensively due to their size,...
- Stories
In the US, we have turkey vultures, black vultures, and...
- Photos & Videos
World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt...
- Adopt a Harbor Seal
World Wildlife Fund Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt...
- Narwhal
Thousands of years of evolution have prepared Arctic species...
- Bowhead Whale
The bowhead whale’s conservation status is listed as “least...
- Marine Iguana
Introduced species such as cats, rats, dogs and pigs prey on...
- Arctic Wolf
- Size and Weight
- Appearance
- Habitat
- Geography
- Breeding
- Social Structure
- Threats
- Conservation Status
- Conservation Efforts
True seals range in size from the 3 feet and 100 pounds Baikal seal to the 16 feet and 7,100 pounds southern elephant seal male. The southern elephant seal male is not only the largest seal species but is also the largest member of the order Carnivora.
Seal appearance varies among the species. However, all species have feet-shaped fins, allowing for these species to be expert swimmers. Most species have thick layers of fat, also known as blubber, to keep the animals warm in cold oceans, in addition to dense fur. In many ways, true seals look similar to their close relatives, eared seals. The key ...
All pinniped species are considered semi-aquatic marine mammals that spend some of their time at sea and the other part of their lives on land or sea ice. Many species are found in polar, subpolar, and temperate climates. Nearly all seal species are reliant on marine habitats, although some will enter freshwater habitats in search of food. The Baik...
Pinnipeds can be found on every continent on Earth, and most species occur in cold-water environments.
Seal breeding behavior varies depending on the species. Most seals spend the majority of their time at sea and typically return to land or pack ice to breed and give birth. All phocid species have an annual reproductive cycle in which females give birth during a fairly distinct breeding period. They are known to have short lactation periods, lastin...
Most seal species live in very large social groups called colonies. They typically come to land or sea ice to mate and raise young in tightly packed gatherings of thousands. While seals are social and typically remain in groups, they don’t have close relationships and are usually solitary hunters. In comparison to other pinnipeds, true seals do not...
Pinniped species have long been targeted by hunters for their fur and in some cases have driven these species to extinction. For example, the Caribbean monk seal became extinct in the 1970s. While hunting has become more regulated in recent years, seals still face many threats, such as lack of food, entanglement in fishing gear, and conflict with f...
The conservation status varies depending on the species. While several species are listed as of “Least Concern,” other species are threatened. For example, the caspain seal, the Hawaiian monk seal and the Mediterranean monk seal are listed as “Endangered.”
Various conservation groups and government organizations work to conserve pinnipeds through further research, education and management actions. Among government organizations working to protect these species is the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA fisheries works to protect harbor seals and other native sea...
Apr 12, 2023 · There are 33 living seal species in three families, including true seals, eared seals, and walruses. Seals are marine mammals, distinguished by their fur, mammary glands, and ability to breathe oxygen. The harbor seal is the most common species, with around 500,000 individuals in the wild. Baby harp seals are considered the cutest type of seal ...
Gray seals are gregarious animals—they gather in large groups on shore to breed, give birth, and molt. Female gray seals live up to 35 years and males about 25 years. Gray seals primarily hunt squid, fish, and sandeels; their main predators are humans, sharks, and orcas. Gray seal pups are born in autumn (September to November) in the eastern ...
Average Life Span In The Wild: Up to 30 years. Size: 3 feet to 20 feet long. Weight: 100 pounds to 4.4 tons. There are 33 species of pinnipeds alive today, most of which are known as seals ...
Oct 4, 2021 · October 4, 2021. Source: University of Minnesota. Summary: A research team has completed a global population estimate of Weddell seals in Antarctica, showing that there are significantly fewer ...
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Marine Mammal Regulations. Safety Tips for Sealers. 2011-2015 Seal Management Plan. Stock Assessment of Canadian Grey Seals. Northwest Atlantic Harp Seal: Stock Status Report. All related publications. Date modified: 2022-05-12. Facts, statistics and regulations on Canada’s seal harvest, and the six species of seals affected.
