Harp Seal

The name harp seal is coined with credit to the characteristic black colored markings observed in the rear side of the trunk after moulting, which resemble wishbone or harp shape. Also known by alternative names, Greenland seal and saddleback seal, it is an amazing member of the seals. However, the high mortality rate in the inaugural year after birth (20-30 percent), hunting for fur and habitat decline altogether, lead to declining number of harp seals.

Information on Harp Seal The harp seal is endemic to parts of the Glacial and Atlantic oceans. Identifiable features of this seal type are large dark eyes and black saddle-like marking in adults. At maturity, it weighs approximately 300-400 pounds and its body length measures about 5-6.5 feet. In reverse to snow white fur of baby seal (pup), the big fur is thick, leathery and dark grey in color. The following harp seal information will let you see more about this marine creature.Harp Seal Taxonomy Harp seals are the most commercially demanding, and evidently the most hunted species of all seals. According to zoological classification, they are classified under the family Phocidae of the order Carnivora. The scientific mention of this seal species is Pagophilus groenlandicus. This mammal shows sexual dimorphism, with the female having more markings than the male.Harp Seal Habitat It lives, molts, breeds and completes most of its spirit in ocean. You will be surprised to recognise that baby seals are bone in ice floes. Based on the harp seal habitat distribution and breeding sites, there are three separate populations of harp seals. The beginning and largest is ground in Western North Atlantic Ocean, while the back and third populations breed in Eastern Greenland and White Sea respectively. Harp Seal Diet A true carnivorous by food habit, this seal primarily feeds on several types of angle and crustaceans. Included in the number of harp seal diet foods are eel, shrimp, krill, crab, salmon, cod, flounder, squid, anchovies, octopus and herring amongst others. While hunting for food, it can dive underwater at a large speed, and has the ability to stay inside water for as farsighted as 15 minutes. For general food habit of seals, you can relate to what do seals eat.Baby Harp Seal At birth, a pup weighs about 25 pounds. The fur color is yellowish white (yellow coats), which turns white after 3 days (called as white coats). The fluffy white fur of baby harp seals retains for 12 days, and is really an adorable feature. This is an adaptive attribute that helps in camouflaging the new ones in snow. The new seal weans after suckling its mother continuously for 2 weeks. Harp Seal Behavior The baby pups communicate with their mothers by way of bawling. Generally, this seals are very noisy and their social behaviour is a proof. The adults are frequently found growling to guard off others, and making several sounds during courting. Amongst the large colonies of harp seals, there are likewise smaller groups, which exhibit hierarchy system. You can read more on facts about seals.Interesting Harp Seal Facts

• Upon studies, spherical lens are separated from the extraordinarily large eyes of harp seal. They aid in better focusing power, enabling the creature to see far off objects. Also, the movable pupil reduces glare effects.
• The harp seal lacks ears, but it has some of the most developed senses. Say for example, this seal cannot smell underwater, but it can sense movements and vibrations with the assistance of its whiskers.
• One of the harp seal adaptations is presence of thick blubber (3-4 inches) in adults. This serves an insulating layer, helping the brute to go in the extreme cold, ice floes.
• The fat or insulating fatty layer is not only crucial for shelter from cold, but it also provides energy for survival at times of food scarcity, or when the animals goes on fast.
• Flippers are also responsible for the extremely advanced thermoregulation mechanism. They act as a heat exchanging system, thereby providing cooling or warming effects to the body, as per requirements.
• Being a sociable creature, groups of harp seals are found inhabiting a same region at one time. But, an amazing harp seal fact is, a father can describe its pup from the group through smell.
• The milk secreted by mother harp seal for nursing baby seals contains about 45 percent fats. No wonder, a breastfeeding pup increases its size to 3 times in less than 2 weeks.
• After suckling for 2 consecutive weeks, the pup grows to some 40-45 kg body weight. By this time, it becomes ready to fight on its own. If required, the stored fat is exploited as an energy source for just-weaned young seals.
• On an average, the life of harp seal in the waste is approximately 20 years. However, there are also findings, in which harp seals are ground to last for 30-35 years.

It is very unfortunate to recognize that mankind are the greatest threats to harp seals. The soft, white fur of baby harp seals is highly prized in the market, which encourages mass hunting of these cuddly pups. Despite the conservation effort taken up, thousands of harp seals are killed every year for the interest of fur, oil and meat. Other than human threats, preying by natural predators, like killer whales, sharks and polar bears, contributes to population decline of this marine animal.