Page 18 - World of Animals - Issue #28 Magazine

Harp seal

Rounded, streamlined head
Inside the Living in an environment as
Corneas

harp seal bright as the Arctic could lead
to snow blindness; however,
specially adapted corneas
allow harp seals to tolerate
Millions of years of the high levels of ultraviolet
radiation typical of bright,
evolution have prepared snowy environments.
harp seals well for the
unfavourable conditions
of a life in icy seas

HARP SEAL
Pagophilus groenlandicus Sharp canines
Class Mammalia

Territory North Atlantic and
Arctic oceans Strong throat
Diet Fish, crustaceans
Lifespan 20-30 years To avoid choking
Adult weight 130kg (290lb) when submerged
Conservation status underwater for long
periods, muscles in the
throat prevent all sea
LEAST CONCERN
water from entering.
Grey seal vs harp seal

These two relatives look alike and are o en
confused in the wild. However, grey seals have a
much longer nose and are more grey in colour. Harp
seals have a shorter snout, wider eyes, and have a
larger gap between the eye and the ear.

Heart

Grey seal

Flippers Large lungs Blubber

The front flippers are relatively Blubber is essentially a layer of fat, or adipose
short when compared to tissue, sitting beneath the fur. It provides
body size, but are powerful natural insulation to protect the internal organs
nonetheless. They have small, from the cold. The blubber also provides some
narrow claws and are capable buoyancy and can store energy in times of
of both propelling the seal food scarcity. It is particularly important for
through the water and moving harp seals as they feed and breed in different
across the ice. parts of the ocean and need to carry this
Harp seal energy store with them.

INFANCY JUVENILE MATURITY

Birth 0 days All alone 12 days The first molt 18 days Beaters 7-8 weeks Adult fur 5 years Sexual maturity (female) 5-6 years

Female harp seals give birth The mothers leave The pup’s white fur will At this age, they’re known as The face of an adult harp seal is Female harp seals mature faster than the
to one pup at a time in the and the little seals begin to molt in patches, ‘beaters’ because of their inability completely black. Adults typically males and are able to bear young a er

early spring, a er having been are le to fend for gradually creating a silver- to swim. They mostly just beat at carry these markings with them five or six years. She will give birth every

pregnant for 11.5 months. themselves. grey colour. the surface of the water. for the rest of their lives. year a er.
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