Home › Mammalia › Phocidae › Harp Seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Harp Seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus)
Pagophilus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Arctic
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Arctic pack ice
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Carnivora
FAMILY
Phocidae
GENUS
Pagophilus
📋 Description
SIZE
1.8-2 m body, 100-150 kg
COLORATION
Silver with black harp mark
ADAPTATIONS
Migratory, ice breeding
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Arctic pack ice
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Arctic
REPRODUCTION
1 pup per year
DIET DETAILS
Fish, crustaceans
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Climate change
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The harp seal has a distinctive harp-shaped black mark on its back. Pups are born with white coats.
2
They form huge breeding colonies on ice.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Svalbard Norway
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Spring
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Look for on pack ice in spring.
