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• Ringed seals are a the most common type of seal found in the Arctic. The name refers to the light colored circular patches appearing on this seal's back.National Geographic: Ringed Seal Ringed seals are found in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, and can be seen as far south as the Aleutian Islands during the winter.Alaska Department Of Fish & Game: Ringed Seal

• Fast Facts

  1. Habitat: Arctic watersNOAA Fisheries Office Of Protected Resources: Ringed Seal
  2. Diet: Arctic cod and crustaceansNational Geographic: Ringed Seal
  3. Size: Up to 5 ftNational Geographic: Ringed Seal
  4. Weight: Up to 150 lbsNational Geographic: Ringed Seal
  5. Life span: 30 to 40 yearsBBC: Ringed Seal
  6. Predators: Humans, polar bears, foxesAnimal Diversity Web: Ringed Seal
  7. Gestation period: 240 daysAnimal Diversity Web: Ringed Seal

• Behavior

  The ringed seal is quite vocal under water, although biologists are not sure why. A ringed seal will live under the ice many months each year. While out of the water, basking on the ice, they are constantly on the alert for predators. If one is spotted, the ringed seal moves very quickly back into the water.Alaska Department Of Fish & Game: Ringed Seal

  Seals molt during May and June, and will often be found basking in the sun during this period.Animal Diversity Web:Ringed Seal

• Feeding

  A ringed seal can dive as deep as 150 feet to feed on 72 different species of fish and invertebrates.NOAA Fisheries Office Of Protected Resources: Ringed Seal

  During the late summer to early spring, the ringed seal spends most of its time feeding, building up the reserves of blubber it needs during during the winter months for energy and insulation.Alaska Department Of Fish & Game: Ringed Seal

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Seals | Polar Bear | Elephant Seal | Marine Biology | Arctic Ocean | Foxes | Bering Sea | Steller Sea Lion | Harp Seal | Weddell Seal | Leopard Seal

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