Life at sea

Harp seals are adapted for harsh conditions, enduring subzero temperatures for most of their lives

The harps seal’s life cycle starts on the ice and plays out at sea. They have a tough start but if they can survive the first few uncertain weeks, a long life cruising the oceans awaits them.

Yellow Jacket

Newborn harp seals have a slight yellow coloration, the result of staining by amniotic fluid while in the womb. They stay this color for the first two to three days of their life.

Motherly love

For the first 12 days, harp seals make for caring mothers. They will shun food in an effort to focus all their attention on nursing their young.

A new white coat

Once the mothers leave, the pups lose their yellow tinge as it is bleached by the sun and washed off by the rain. The white coat helps them stay hidden in their icy habitat.

Going the distance

Harp seals spend most of their lives solitarily swimming the seas and navigating their way across long distances.

Fish supper

Much of their diet is made up of fish and crustaceans. Harp seals are skilled hunters and will dive to depths of 200m (600 ft) to catch their dinner.