Ribbon Seal

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Ways to identify this species: smaller than bearded, larger than ringed

coloration varies with age, but by age 4 black background with white ring around head and mid-section, very large eyes

Biology

• Found in icy seas of North Pacific.  In Alaska, they are found mainly in the Bering Sea.  When ice disappears in the spring and summer, they live in the open sea.

• Average length is 58 inches and weight 154lbs.

• Prefer to eat fish, specifically Pollock and main areas of ribbon seal abundance correspond with Pollock concentration area.

• Pups are born on ice between April and May.  Mothers often leave pups alone, and ribbon seals are very tolerant of humans and boats, suggesting fewer natural predators.

Threats

• Seals are threatened by competition with fisheries and by global warming, which could destroy their habitat.

• Because they are solitary and live on ice floes in winter and the ocean during the summer, they are not usually hunted by natives.

• Exploited by Soviet hunters in the 1960's until a quota system was instated.  Now population levels appear to be returning to previous numbers.