Ringed Seal
ExploreMammals
Ringed Seal
Pusa hispida
Ringed seals are playful animals that live in cold waters. They have special spots that help them blend in with the ice and snow around them.
Appearance
The Ringed Seal is a small seal with a round head and a chunky body. Its dark grey fur is covered in distinctive light grey or white ring-like patterns. These rings, often edged with darker coloration, make it unique among Arctic seals.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyPhocidaeGenusPusa
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A ringed seal can recognize its own breathing hole among many others!
Baby ringed seals are born with fluffy white fur for camouflage.
Their special blood stores extra oxygen for amazing underwater dives.
They are the smallest true seals found in the Arctic waters.
Special abilities
Ability
Ice Master
Ringed Seals can use strong claws and teeth to maintain breathing holes in thick Arctic ice, helping them survive harsh winters.
Ability
Blubber Armor
Ringed Seals have a thick layer of blubber that keeps them super warm in icy polar waters and stores energy.
Ability
Snow Den Builder
Ringed Seals create cozy snow dens on ice to protect their pups from predators and harsh Arctic weather.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 110-160 cm
- Weight
- 50-70 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-30 years
- Top Speed
- 19 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 270-330 days
Diet & Feeding
Ringed seals are fish-eaters that also enjoy small crustaceans in their cold Arctic home.
Primary Foods
- Arctic cod
- Herring
- Amphipods
- Euphausiids
- Sculpins
Foraging Method
- Pursuit
Ecological connections
eaten by
Polar Bear
Ursus maritimus
A primary predator, especially of pups.
eaten by
Arctic Fox
Vulpes lagopus
Preys on pups in snow lairs.
eaten by
Orca
Orcinus orca
Hunts seals in open water.
hunts
Arctic Cod
Boreogadus saida
A main food source for the seal.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Whiskered
Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
NerpaRinged Seal Pup
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always admire seals from a distance. They are wild animals and need their space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Ringed Seal?
110-160 cm
How much does Ringed Seal weigh?
50-70 kg
How long does Ringed Seal live?
20-30 years
How fast can Ringed Seal move?
19 km/h
What does Ringed Seal eat?
Ringed seals are fish-eaters that also enjoy small crustaceans in their cold Arctic home.
How does Ringed Seal hunt?
Pursuit
How many babies does Ringed Seal usually have?
1
How long is Ringed Seal's gestation?
270-330 days
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