Spotted Seal

The spotted seal is a relatively small true seal with a rounded head, narrow dog-like snout and short flippers. Adults have a silvery or light-grey coat densely scattered with dark spots; males and females look broadly alike. They average roughly 1.4–1.7m and weigh 64–113kg. White-coated pups shed their natal fur around weaning (NOAA Fisheries species account). The streamlined body narrows toward the hind flippers.

Across its range, spotted seals use continental-shelf waters and the outer margins of moving sea ice. They eat varied fish, crustaceans and cephalopods, generally feeding in water shallower than 200m. During breeding, a female, male and pup may form an unusual temporary family group. Gestation lasts just over ten months, and pups nurse for three to six weeks (NOAA Fisheries species account).