Phocidae - seals
 There are 19 species in this family. Most seal species are found in the Arctic and Antarctica, but seals are also found along coastlines around the world from the North Pole south to 30 degrees north latitude and from Antarctica north to 50 degrees south latitude. One seal,
the Baikal seal, lives only in Lake Baikal in Russia.
Seals have torpedo-shaped bodies; short, front flippers with claws; and large hind flippers. Unlike the fur seals and the sea lions, they have no external ears and can not walk on their flippers. They use their front flippers to steer in the water and their rear flippers to propel themselves in the water. They have fur, but in some species their fur is very sparse!
Seals eat
fish, crustaceans, squid, and octopus. Some species also eat plankton. Seals vary in size from the elephant seal which can weigh up to 5,000 pounds to the ringed seal that weighs around 120 pounds. The species in this family are not as social as the fur seals and sea lions, and they don't live in large groups. One species, the Caribbean Monk Seal, is probably extinct. It was
last sighted in 1952.
World Status Key
 Least Concern  Near Threatened  Vulnerable  Endangered  Critically Endangered  Extinct in Wild  Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.
US Status Key
 Threatened in US  Threatened in NH  Endangered in US  Endangered in NH  Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game
Additional Information Resource Key
 Profile  Photos  Video  Audio  Interactive
Elephant Seals - Mirounga angustirostris
Elephant seals were once hunted for their oil and were close to extinction.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Baikal Seal - Pusa sibirica 
The Baikal seal is found in Lake Baikal in Russia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Baikal Seal - Pusa sibirica
The Baikal seal is the world's only completely freshwater seal.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School
Baikal Seal - Pusa sibirica
At a little over 4 feet in length, the Baikal seal is one of the smallest pinnipeds.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Bearded Seal - Erignathus barbatus    
The bearded seal is found in the Arctic waters of the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Bearded Seal - Erignathus barbatus
The bearded seal gets its name from its long whiskers.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School
Bearded Seal - Erignathus barbatus
The bearded seal is very vocal. The male's song can be heard for 12 miles.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Bearded Seal - Erignathus barbatus
Bearded seals ram their heads through thin ice to create breathing holes.
Source: NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Bearded Seal - Erignathus barbatus
Bearded seals prefer shallow arctic waters with lots of ice floes or pack ice.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Caribbean Monk Seal - Monachus tropicalis 
The Caribbean monk seal is also known as the West Indian monk seal. It was found in the tropical waters of the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, the Greater and Lesser Antilles, around the Yucatan Peninsula.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Caribbean Monk Seal - Monachus tropicalis
The last confirmed sighting of the Caribbean monk seal was in 1952.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Caribbean Monk Seal - Monachus tropicalis
The Caribbean monk seal was hunted for its blubber, to make oil, and for its meat.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School
Caspian Seal - Pusa caspica
The Caspian seal is found in the Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland body of saltwater.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Caspian Seal - Pusa caspica
In late autumn, Caspian seals migrate to the northern part of the Caspian Sea where the water is shallow and frozen.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Caspian Seal - Pusa caspica
Newborn Caspian seal pups have a long coats of white fur that help insulate them from the cold.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School
Crabeater Seal - Lobodon carcinophaga  
The crabeater seal is found on the pack ice and coast of Antarctica.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Crabeater Seal - Lobodon carcinophaga
The crabeater seal should be called the krill eater seal. It does not eat crabs. Its main source of food is krill.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Crabeater Seal - Lobodon carcinophaga
Crabeater seals have been known to live for forty years.
Source: NOAA Alaska Fisheries Center Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School
Crabeater Seal - Lobodon carcinophaga
Crabeater seal males will stay with the female until their pup has been weaned, usually 14-21 days.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Crabeater Seal - Lobodon carcinophaga
Scientists consider crabeater seals to be the most abundant of any pinniped species.
Source: Animal Bytes Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Gray Seal - Halichoerus grypus
The gray seal is found in sub-Arctic to cold temperate regions in the North Atlantic.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Gray Seal - Halichoerus grypus
Gray seals are sometimes called "horseheads" because of their large snouts.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Gray Seal - Halichoerus grypus
Male gray seals can grow to almost ten feet long.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Gray Seal - Halichoerus grypus
Male gray seals can grow to almost ten feet long.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harbor Seal - Phoca vitulina 
The harbor seal is found throughout the coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere from Arctic to temperate regions.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harbor Seal - Phoca vitulina
Harbor seals are the most common seal seen along the east coast of the United States.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harbor Seal - Phoca vitulina
There are
five subspecies of harbor seal.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harbor Seal - Phoca vitulina
Harbor seals rest and raise their pups on sandy and rocky beaches.
Source: New England Aquarium Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harbor Seal - Phoca vitulina
Harbor seals
have a life span of about 25 to 30 years.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School
Harp Seal - Pagophilus groenlandicus 
Harp seals are found in the Arctic and northern Atlantic Oceans and can be found from Newfoundland to northern Russia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harp Seal - Pagophilus groenlandicus
Adult harp seals have light gray fur, a black face, and a horseshoe-shaped black saddle on their back.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harp Seal - Pagophilus groenlandicus
Harp seals spend most of their time in coastal ocean waters near pack ice.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harp Seal - Pagophilus groenlandicus
For many years, newborn harp seal pups were killed in large numbers for their white coats.
Source: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Harp Seal - Pagophilus groenlandicus
Harp seals can remain submerged underwater for up to 15 minutes.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Harp Seal - Pagophilus groenlandicus
During mating season, female harp seals form large colonies on floating ice and give birth to their young.
Source: National Geographic Kids Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School
Harp Seal - Pagophilus groenlandicus
Harp seals are hunted by killer whales, polar bears, and people.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School
Hawaiian Monk Seal - Monachus schauinslandi
Hawaiian monk seals are found throughout the Hawaiian Island chain.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hawaiian Monk Seal - Monachus schauinslandi
The ancient Hawaiian name for the Hawaiian monk seal was "llio holo I ka uaua" meaning "dog that runs in rough water."
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hawaiian Monk Seal - Monachus schauinslandi
The main predator of the Hawaiian monk seal is the tiger shark.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hawaiian Monk Seal - Monachus schauinslandi
Hawaiian monk seals eat fish, octopus, squid, and lobster.
Source: Defenders of Wildlife Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hawaiian Monk Seal - Monachus schauinslandi
Hawaiian monk seals spend most of their time at sea.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hawaiian Monk Seal - Monachus schauinslandi
Hawaiian monk seals are the most endangered endemic marine mammal in the United States.
Source: Marine Conservation Biology Institute Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hawaiian Monk Seal - Monachus schauinslandi
There are fewer than 1100 monk seals remaining in the entire Hawaiian Archipelago.
Source: Hawai'i Wildlife Fund Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hooded Seal - Cystophora cristata
The hooded seal is found in the north Atlantic and off the coasts of Canada; Greenland; Iceland; and Norway. They are also found in the United States in Maine from December through April.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hooded Seal - Cystophora cristata
Hooded seals get their name from the fleshy sac or “hood” males have above their nostrils that they can inflate. When it is not inflated, this sac hangs between his eyes and down over his upper lip.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hooded Seal - Cystophora cristata
Male hooded seals inflate a red sac out of one of his nostrils that looks like a big red balloon. He does this to attract a female.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hooded Seal - Cystophora cristata
The female hooded seal leaves her pup after four days. The pup survives on stored fat for a couple of weeks until it can hunt for fish on its own.
Source: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Hooded Seal - Cystophora cristata
Hooded seals can dive to depths of 3,000 feet and stay submerged underwater for over 50 minutes.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Hooded Seal - Cystophora cristata
The hooded seal feeds on fish, squid, and octopus.
Source: Animal Bytes Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Leopard Seal - Hydrurga leptonyx 
The leopard seal is found in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters of the southern Hemisphere.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Leopard Seal - Hydrurga leptonyx
The leopard seal's diet includes penguins, seabirds, fish, squid, krill, and smaller seals.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Leopard Seal - Hydrurga leptonyx
The leopard seal is named for its black-spotted coat.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Leopard Seal - Hydrurga leptonyx
The leopard seal swims so fast it can "jump" out of the water to snatch penguins off the edge of the ice!
Source: NOAA Alaska Fisheries Center Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Leopard Seal - Hydrurga leptonyx
The only natural predator of the leopard seal is the killer whale.
Source: Australian Antarctic Division Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Leopard Seal - Hydrurga leptonyx
Leopard seals have uniquely shaped cheek teeth that allow them to strain krill out of seawater.
Source: Animal Bytes Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Mediterranean Monk Seal - Monachus monachus  
The Mediterranean monk seal was once found throughout the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the northwestern coast of Africa. It is now limited to a few small colonies in the Mediterranean Sea and the Northwest African coast.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Mediterranean Monk Seal - Monachus monachus
There are around 600 Mediterranean monk seals in the wild.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Mediterranean Monk Seal - Monachus monachus
Female Mediterranean monk seals give birth on isolated beaches or in caves.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
The northern elephant seal is found in off the Pacific Coast of North America from Alaska to Mexico.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
The northern elephant seal spends only 10% of its time on land.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
Fully grown northern elephant seal males can reach lengths of over 13 feet and can weigh nearly 4,400 pounds.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
Northern elephant seal males are much larger than females.
Source: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
Northern elephant seals migrate twice a year between Californian and Mexican beaches and their feeding areas in the north Pacific Ocean.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
The northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world.
Source: Marine Mammal Center Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
Northern elephant seals dive for up to 30 minutes at a time to depths of 1,000-2,000 feet.
Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
Northern elephant seals prolong their dives by reducing their heart rate.
Source: National Park Service Point Reyes Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Northern Elephant Seal - Mirounga angustirostris
The northern elephant seal has no external ears.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School
Northern Elephant Seal Cam - Mirounga angustirostris
Check out this live HD Northern Elephant Seal cam from Año Nuevo State Park in California.
Source: California State Parks Intended Audience: General Reading Level: N/A
Ribbon Seal - Histriophoca fasciata
Ribbon seals are found in coastal areas of the north Pacific Ocean and in the seas bordering Alaska and Russia.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ribbon Seal - Histriophoca fasciata
Ribbon seals eat about 20 lbs of food each day.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ribbon Seal - Histriophoca fasciata
Ribbon seals have an internal air sack over their ribs on the right side of their body. They are the only seals with this air sack! Scientists do not know what the air sac is used for.
Source: NOAA Alaska Fisheries Center Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Ribbon Seal - Histriophoca fasciata
Adult ribbon seals have dark bodies with light bands around their neck, front flippers, and hips.
Source: Alaska Sea Grant Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Ribbon Seal - Histriophoca fasciata
Ribbon seal pups are white.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ringed Seal - Pusa hispida
The ringed seal has a circumpolar distribution around the Arctic. It is found in the northern parts of the Baltic Sea, Canada, Alaska, Siberia, and along the Japanese Pacific coastline.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ringed Seal - Pusa hispida
Ringed seals are dark with silver rings on their back and sides. They have a silver belly.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ringed Seal - Pusa hispida
Ringed seals stay close to the ice all year long!
Source: NOAA Alaska Fisheries Center Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Ringed Seal - Pusa hispida
Ringed seals live under solid sea ice by keeping breathing holes open with their claws.
Source: Alaska Fish and Game Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ringed Seal - Pusa hispida
Arctic climate change may be affecting the ringed seals' ice habitat.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ringed Seal - Pusa hispida
The ringed seal is the smallest seal species. Adults are about five feet in length and weigh up to 150 pounds.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ross Seal - Ommatophoca rossii
The Ross seal is found on remote, inaccessible ice packs surrounding the Antarctic.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ross Seal - Ommatophoca rossii
Ross seals are the least studied of the Antarctic seals.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Ross Seal - Ommatophoca rossii
Ross seals have the shortest hair of any seal.
Source: Animal Bytes Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Ross Seal - Ommatophoca rossii
Ross seals are the smallest seals of the Antarctic region.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina
The southern elephant seal is found along the coast of Antarctica and on sub-Antarctic islands.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Southern Elephant Seal - Mirounga leonina
Male southern elephant seals are the largest pinnipeds. They can be up to 20 feet in length and weigh over 8,000 pounds.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Spotted Seal - Phoca largha
The spotted seal is found in the Arctic Ocean and the northwest and northeast Pacific Ocean and off the coasts of Canada; China; Japan; North Korea, South Korea, Russia, and the United States.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Spotted Seal - Phoca largha
In the United States, the spotted seal is found in Alaska.
Source: NOAA Fisheries Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Spotted Seal - Phoca largha
The male spotted seal mates with only one female and stay with her until their pup is weaned.
Source: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Spotted Seal - Phoca largha
Adult spotted seals can dive to depths of around 3,000 feet.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Spotted Seal - Phoca largha
Spotted seals are the only seal species that breeds in China.
Source: NOAA Alaska Fisheries Center Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Spotted Seal - Phoca largha
Spotted seals are the only seal species that breeds in China.
Source: Alaska Sea Grant Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School
Spotted Seal - Phoca largha
Spotted seals form large groups of up to several thousand individuals during pupping and molting season.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Weddell Seal - Leptonychotes weddellii
The Weddell seal has a circumpolar distribution around Antarctica. It is also found on sub-Antarctic islands including the South Orkneys, South Shetlands and South Georgia.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Weddell Seal - Leptonychotes weddellii
The Weddell seal is usually found on near-shore fast ice, not pack ice like other Antarctic seals.
Source: Seal Conservation Society Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School
Weddell Seal - Leptonychotes weddellii
The Weddell seal isn't a big traveler. It is commonly found within a few miles of their birthplace.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Weddell Seal - Leptonychotes weddellii
When sleeping and resting, Weddell seals may remain in the same spot for hours.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Weddell Seal - Leptonychotes weddellii
Adult Weddell seals have a dark gray coat that is marked with black and lighter gray areas.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School
Weddell Seal - Leptonychotes weddellii
Weddell seals are named for British Antarctic explorer James Weddell, who commanded British expeditions into the Weddell Sea.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School
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