Spotted Seals are gray and have dark spots. They are about 4.5 to 5.5 feet long and can weigh up to 250 pounds!1These animals are part of the pinniped group – which also includes sea lions and walruses.2
You can find them in the waters of the North Pacific.1 Ice floes are very important for them – they rely on them a lot. They’ll rest on the ice and also give birth to their offspring on them.3 Their offspring are about 3 feet long and weigh about 20 pounds when they’re born. They are born with white coats. This is calledlanugo and it helps them survive until they develop enough blubber to stay warm without it.2
Spotted Seals prey on:1
Fish
Crustaceans
Cephalopods
In turn, they are prey for:2
Sleeper sharks
Killer whales
Walruses
Polar bears
Sea lions
Humans
Spotted Seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.1 Because they’re so dependent on ice, global warming directly affects them. Other threats also include:3
Oil and gas development
Shipping activity
Noise pollution
Getting caught as bycatch
Check out more info about wildlife on our resources page on our website. There, you’ll find our guides and videos about owls and other wildlife!
