Harp Seal
Relatives in same Genus
Ribbon Seal (P. fasciata)
Ringed Seal (P. hispida)
Spotted Seal (P. largha)
Harbor Seal (P. vitulina) ...
Harp Seal
Related Category: Vertebrate Zoology
crested earless, or true, seal, Phoca groenlandica, found in the N Atlantic around Greenland and the White Sea.
Harp seals are a highly migratory species, and have been known to travel distances up to 2,500 km. They are also a very gregarious species gathering together to molt after the breeding season, which takes place on the pack ice from February-March.
Harp Seal
The Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica) is a marine mammal that spends most of its life in the sea, but also goes onto ice floes.
Harp seals feed primarily on small fish and crustaceans. They are reported to be capable of diving to depths of up to 275 m (900 ft.) and of remaining submerged for up to 15 minutes.
Harp seals spend relatively little time on land and prefer to swim in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. These sleek swimmers cruise the chilly waters and feed on fish and crustaceans. They can remain submerged for up to 15 minutes.
Harp seal
Phoca groenlandica
Life span
Harp seals can live for up to 35 years.
Harp Seals are hunted annually to cull populations, mainly to benefit fisheries. There are varied theories about the decline of the North Atlantic Cod. Some blame the growing numbers of Harp Seals.
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Harp seals can be seen in the north Atlantic and Arctic oceans in places such as in Newfoundland & Labrador and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They are also seen in Greenland. In the summer, they can migrate as far as 2,500 km for food! ...
Harp Seal
Order: Carnivora
Family: Phocidae
Phoca groenlandica - female and pup on ice floe (right) with juvenile just underneath; males on left, sooty (far left) and normal coloration next to female's tale
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Harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus)
Information on the harp seal is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly... More 29 Images 0 videos ...
Harp Seal Habits
Daily life. Unlike sea lions and eared seals which use their fore flippers for propulsion, harp seals use their hind flippers in a side-to-side action to propel themselves through the water.
HARP SEAL
Harp Seals live are marine mammals that live in the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean.
HYENA
A meat-eating mammal that hunts and scavenges prey.
Harp Seal
Pagophilus groenlandica
Annual vagrant; recorded Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Nantucket, Plymouth & Suffolk counties.
Harp Seal (P. groenlandicus)
Phoca
Spotted Seal (P. largha) Â- Harbor Seal (P. vitulina) ...
There are seven species of seals in Canada; the bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina), the harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), ...
They also hunt bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus), hooded seals (Cystophora cristata), walruses (Odobenus rosmarus), sea birds and their eggs, small mammals, fish and scavenge on carrion of seals, walruses, ...
They also eat bearded seal, harp seal and hooded seal. Young walrus are sometimes taken.
Polar bears also eat harp seals and hooded seals, and they scavenge on carcasses of caribou, musk-oxen, whale, walrus (usually pups) and seal.
Polar bears also prey upon harp seals, as well as young walruses and beluga whales, narwhal, fish, and the remains of stranded whales and adult walrus.
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Wild: primary food is ringed seals (2nd is bearded seals), harp seals, hooded seals, & walrus & whale carcasses when available; in summer, also eat berries, crabs, plants, small rodents, seaweed, starfish, sea cucumbers, etc.
Eared Seals - Sea Lions and Fur Seals
Walruses
True Seals - Common (Harbor) , Gray , Hooded, Bearded, Ringed, Harp Seals ...
 See also: Sea Lion, Elephant, Elephant Seal, Ringed seal, Harbor seal
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