Males: 5.6 ft (1.7 m); 297 lb (135 kg); Females: 5.6 ft (1.7 m); 240 lb (109 kg). Young adults of both sexes have a silvery gray coat with dark spots. Older adult males have basic pelage that is cream color over which is a black face to the top of the head and a matching harp or saddle pattern of black running along each side. Older females have a similar pattern but the harp pattern and face may not be as dark and sometimes it is broken into smaller patterns.

Distribution:

There are three major breeding areas, one off the coast of north-eastern Canada, another off the east coast of Greenland, and the third in the White Sea off the northwest coast of Russia. Outside of the breeding season seals may be found mainly in sub-arctic areas of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Habitat:

Breed on ice floes and remain in association with pack ice for resting and molting. They forage in open water or under the ice. Their ice-breeding habit makes this species particularly prone to polar bear predation during breeding.

Behavior:

Females form large aggregations on floating ice during the breeding season but are not densely clumped like in some species. Males spend little time on the ice during this time. After the breeding period, both sexes haul out in groups on the ice to molt. After molting, seals migrate northward with the recession of the ice to areas where they forage intensively, having foraged little during breeding and molting. In-air vocalizations are relatively uncommon although females will give shrill calls when another animal approaches their pup too closely. Underwater around the breeding grounds there is a cacophony of sounds, most likely emanating from males although it is difficult to identify who is doing the vocalizing. Weaned pups remain on the ice and fast for several weeks before they depart to begin foraging.

Feeding Ecology and Diet:

Diets of this species have been extensively studied from stomach samples of shot seals, but only recently have dive recorders been used to determine at what depth seals feed. Moreover these data are only available during the breeding season, which may be expected to be different than at other times. During this period, seals are moderate divers potentially foraging at depths averaging 100 ft (30 m) and reaching a maximum of 300 ft (90 m). These dives typically last about four minutes, but may last as long as 13 minutes. The diet is broad and known to vary seasonally. Nearly 70 species of fish and 70 species of invertebrates have been found in the stomachs of these seals.

Reproductive Biology:

The mating system is poorly studied in this species. Males are believed to be polygynous, but whether they defend positions, territories, or females directly, or display to attract females is unclear. Mating occurs in the water. Males produce sperm about four to five years of age, although may not become successful breeders until older. Females give birth for the first time from four to seven years of age, and give birth to a single young annually. Lactation is about 12 days during which females produce a milk averaging 48% fat.

Threats to the Species:

All three populations are hunted annually under proposals to cull harp seal populations. Over-exploitation, particularly in the Northwest Atlantic, and an expanding and unregulated trade in seal products remain a threat. Other potential threats include: ostensibly to benefit fisheries; reduced food availability due to human overfishing or climate change; incidental catches in fishing gear; and, possibly, environmental contaminants.

Predators:

Killer whales (orcas), sharks, polar bears, and especially people/sealers.

Number of Young:

One

Sexual Maturity :

Females, up to 7 years; males, 4 years.

Life-Span:

Up to 30 years

Other Information :

It can dive to depths of over 900 feet. Despite their rotund appearance, adults can move with stealth speed over ice and in the open sea.

Pups:

A single pup weighing about 11kg (22 lbs) is born each spring from mid February to March. Pups are born with white fur. Unfortunately, harp seal pups are currently "harvested" for their fur. 95% are less than 3 months old and the majority is under one month of age when killed.

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