Ringed Seal: Pusa hispida (Schreber, 1775)
Ringed Seal: A very common, small, pan-Arctic ice seal
Size
- Average adult 1.2m (4 feet), 52kg (120 pounds)
- Maximum 1.6m (5 ft), 110kg (240 pounds)
Color & Characteristics
- Black spots with gray rings round them on sides and back, generally gray background
- Short and robust body
- Heavy claws on front flippers
Habitat
- Arctic and sub-Arctic
- Associated with sea ice year-round
- Pup and breed mostly in landfast ice areas
Feeding
- Pelagic and near bottom feeder
- Primary prey includes schooling fishes and zooplankton
Life cycle
- Size at birth 0.6m (2 ft), 4-5kg (9-11 lbs)
- Sexual maturity at 5-7 years
- Females have pups every year
- Birthing occurs within lairs
- Longevity 25-40 years
Behavior
- Mostly solitary
- Excavates lairs in snow on fast ice
- Hauls out in center of ice floes, keeping breathing holes open
Page Author: Lloyd Lowry & Bodil Bluhm
Created: Aug 24, 2008
