Marine World

  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.  ...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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 ...

  SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Binomial Name Pusa hispida Family Phocidae Genus Pusa Species P. hispida Weight 50-110 Kgs Life Span 15- 28 Years Gestation Period 9-11 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Least Concern Some Fun Facts About Ringed Seals:         Breathing holes        Ringed seals use their claws to dig breathing holes in the ice that can be over 6 feet deep.        Snow caves       Ringed seals build snow caves above their breathing holes to rest and give birth.          Breeding season        During breeding season, male ringed seals' faces turn black and they smell like gasoline.          Swimming       ...

  SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: Binomial Name Phoca Largha Family Phocidae Genus Phoca Species P. Largha Weight 82-123 Kgs Life Span 30-35 Years Gestation Period 10 Months Group Names Pod or Bob IUCN Status Data Deficient Some Fun Facts About Spotted Seals:         1. Spotted seals are called these names by the Alaskan Natives: qasigiaq (Inupiaq), issuriq (Yup’ik), gazigyaq (St. Lawrence Island Yupik), and issuri (Nunivak Island Cup’ig).   2. Spotted seals were once believed to be the same as the harbor seal species. Their ranges do overlap and there has been some interbreeding.   3. The Spotted seal is the only seal breeding in China.   4. In the summer spotted seals use the coastal haul-outs, a reason being so they can get warmed in the sun.   5. S...