Ribbon Seal: Histriophoca fasciata (Zimmermann, 1783)
Ribbon Seal: Banded ice seal of the North Pacific
Size
- Average adult 1.5m (5 feet), 70kg (150 pounds)
- Maximum 1.9m (6.2 ft), 100kg (220 pounds)
Color & Characteristics
- Light gray bands on dark background, most prominent in adult males
- Bands across neck, front flippers, and torso
Habitat
- Northern North Pacific Ocean, Bering and Chukchi Seas, Sea of Okhotsk
- Associated with sea ice during spring and in open water other seasons
Feeding
- Both pelagic and demersal fishes (walleye pollock, capelin, arctic cod, and others) and cephalopods
Life cycle
- Size at birth 0.9m (3 ft), 9-10kg (20-25 lbs)
- Sexual maturity at 3-5 years
- Females have pups every year
- Longevity 25-30 years
Behavior
- Move by ‘running’ rather than ‘caterpillaring’ across ice
- Haul out on ice in pairs or small groups
Page Author: Lloyd Lowry & Bodil Bluhm
Created: Aug 24, 2008