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Showing posts with the label Families of pinnipeds

Bearded Seal

  SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Binomial Name Erignathus Barbatus Family Phocidae Genus Erignathus Species E. Barbatus Weight 361-262 Kgs Life Span 25 Years Gestation Period 11 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Least Concern "Bearded seals get their name from their... moustache!" Some fun facts about bearded seals: Size Bearded seals are the largest Arctic seal species, growing to be 7–8 ft long and weighing up to 950 lbs.  Appearance They have short snouts, thick white whiskers, and square-shaped fore flippers. Their coats are usually gray to brown with no distinctive markings.  Habitat They are found in the Arctic, including the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas in Alaska.  Behavior They are solitary animals that are wary of their surroundings....

Gray Seal

SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Binomial Name Halichoerus grypus Family Phocidae Genus Halichoerus Species H. Grypus Weight 105-300 Kgs Life Span 15- 25 Years Gestation Period 11 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Least Concern Here are some interesting Facts About gray Seal: Size Grey seals are large and heavy, weighing up to 300 kg and measuring up to 2.3 meters in length.  Hunting Grey seals hunt alone in the ocean and can dive up to 1,500 feet below the surface. They can stay underwater for up to 16 minutes by slowing their heart rate and conserving oxygen.  Senses Grey seals have large eyes that help them see in dark, murky waters, but their highly sensitive ears are most important for locating prey.  Breeding Grey seals breed from September to Decemb...

Ribbon Seal

  SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Binomial Name Histriophoca fasciata Family Phocidae Genus Histriophoca Species H. Fasciata Weight 90-148 Kgs Life Span 20- 30 Years Gestation Period 10- 11 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Data Deficient Some interesting facts about ribbon seals:           Appearance Ribbon seals have dark bodies with four nearly white bands or ribbons around their necks, front flippers, and hips. Their eyes are very large and appear all black.            Diving Ribbon seals can dive up to 200 meters (656 feet) in search of food.            Movement Ribbon seals run over ice by alternating their front flippers and swinging their hindquarters back and forth.  ...

Harp Seal

  SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Binomial Name Pagophilus groenlandicus Family Phocidae Genus Pagophilus Species P. Groenlandicus Weight 120-135 Kgs Life Span 30- 35 Years Gestation Period 11.5 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Least Concern Interestingly, harp seal pups go through 6 distinct stages in their young lifetime: 1. “Yellow-jacket” During this time, the young harp seals coats are stained yellow from placental fluids after birth. 2. “White coat” This is during the nursing stage, when seal pups lose their yellow tinge and gain white fur. 3. “Ragged jacket” During this stage, young harp seals molt and lose their white fur to gain their adult silver-gray skin. 4. “Beater” Once the pups are completely silver-grey, they make their way to the water and start beating their fron...

Caspian Seal

  SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Binomial Name Pusa Caspica Family Phocidae Genus Pusa Species P.Caspica Weight 50-86 Kgs Life Span 26- 50 Years Gestation Period 10-11 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Endangered MATING BEHAVIOR     Monogamy REPRODUCTION SEASON     L ate February-mid-March PREGNANCY DURATION      11 months BABY CARRYING      1 pup INDEPENDENT AGE      1 month FEMALE NAME      Cow MALE NAME      Bull BABY NAME      Pup            Seals have blubber under their skin, a thick layer of fat that keeps them warm in the icy water.     Seals have more blood than other animals, and since blood cells carry oxygen, seal...

Baikal Seal

  SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Binomial Name Pusa Sibirica Family Phocidae Genus Pusa Species P. Sibirica Weight 80-90 Kgs Life Span 52- 56 Years Gestation Period 9 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Least Concern Some Fun Facts About Baikal Seal:         Size ·        Baikal seals are small seals, averaging 1.3 meters in length and weighing between 50–130 kg. Males are slightly larger than females.          Appearance ·        Baikal seals have dense fur that is dark in color, with a silvery gray back and a lighter yellowish gray front. Some have spotted coats, but these are rare.         Teeth ·        Baikal sea...

Saimaa Ringed Seal

  SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Trinomial Name Pusa Hispida Saimensis Family Phocidae Genus Pusa Species P. Hispida Sub Species P.h. Saimensis Weight 50-90 Kgs Life Span 20 Years Gestation Period 11 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Endangered Interesting Facts about the Saimaa Ringed Seals: The Saimaa Ringed Seal is believed to be as intelligent as a dog. The seal uses its claws to dig a breathing hole in the lake ice. The Saimaa Ringed Seal can remain submerged for over 20 minutes. Typically, a dive lasts less than ten minutes. In late February the female gives birth, usually to one pup, in a lair that is dug into a lakeshore snowdrift. The lair is difficult to spot from on top of the lake ice, because it is accessed via ...