Harp Seals are a group of seals that live in the Atlantic and the Arctic oceans.

Scientific Name – Pagophilus groenlandicus

Classification – Pagophilus

Gender Names – Male – bull; Female – cow; Baby – calf

Collective Noun – Herd, pod, rookery, harem

Length/Size – 1.7 to 2.0 m (5 ft 7 in to 6 ft 7 in)

Weight – 140 to 190 kg (310 to 420 lb)

Life Expectancy – Around 20 years (varies between subspecies)

Mating Season – Varies between subspecies

Gestation Period – around 11.5 months

Special Features – Do not have external ears

Social Structure – Males live in their own harems (with multiple females); structures vary between subspecies

Geographical Distribution – Northernmost Atlantic Ocean and parts of the Arctic Ocean

Natural Habitat – Spend relatively little time on land or rocks; rather seem to enjoy most of their time in the waters

World Population – 4.0 – 6.4 million in the northwest Atlantic population, 300,000 in the east Greenland population, and 1.2 million in the Barents Sea / White Sea population

Conservation Status – Least Concern

Diet – Fish, crustaceans, decapods

Predators – Polar bears, orca (killer whales), sharks, walruses