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Published on Mar 20, 2016

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Harp Seals

BY HENRY AND RIVER
Photo by JT_Palmer

INTRO

Did you know harp seals are only one of the hundreds of species of seals? With their grey bodies, black faces, and dark horseshoe shaped saddle on their backs they are on of the most interesting! Later in this book you will learn how big they are, what they eat, about their life cycle and many, many new and amazing facts! With our fun facts, knowledgeable examples, and imaginative information you will practically be a harp seal expert by the end of this book!
Photo by kevinclark

DIET

The first thing you will learn is what harp seals eat. The harp seal (pagophilus groenlandicus) live in the Arctic Ocean and catch polar cod, herring, and halbutt, which all live in frigid water. The harp seals also live and hunt small crab, shrimp, sixty-five species of fin fish, and seventy species of invertibrey in the North Atlantic Ocean. They are prey to the polar bear, killer whale, and sharks, but otherwise are close to the top of the food chain (NOAA fisheries).

SIZE

Surprising, harp seals can grow over 400 pounds ! They are only cute and cuddly in there newborn state in witch they are still a bit large weighing 24 pounds, and being about three feet long! Mature harp seals are about 1.5-2 meters. Male harp seals mature at 7-8 years while females mature at 4-6 years. As NOAA fisheries states, harp seals live an average of 30-35 years where they spend a great amount of time alone, they only come together when breeding. In this time a large group is called a rookery or colony.
Photo by claumoho

COAT PATTERNS

Harp seals are mainly characterized by their unique coat pattern but thhey dont start of that way. Harp seals have about 6 life stages. First is the yellow jacket in which newborn pups fur is tinted a shade of yellow, hence the name, and nurse high fat milk (about 45%fat!). In about a nweek the yellow tint goes away and they move up to white coat. Soon after, about a week later, pups are weaned and start to moult in patches and receive the title raggidy jacket. Can you believe after only 18 days the "pups" are completely moulted? In this stage, young seals learn to swim by beating the water, getting the name beater. Bedlamer is the stage in between childhood and adulthood. And you can guess what's next...adulthood also called spotted harps! Males are mature at 7-8 years and females, 4-6 years. At this stage, a harp seals pattern begins to appear on their back after this stage older seals are called old harps (facts from NOAA Fisheries).

Conclusion

Harp seals have a hectic life. While living and catching food in the colder climates, growing up to almost four-hundred pounds, hunting varieties of small fish and crab, and changing appearances in a very short amount of time. Harp seals are truly amazing!
Photo by JT_Palmer

6 DISTINCT LIFE STAGES

  • Yellow jacket
  • White coat
  • Grey coat
  • Raggedy jackets
  • Beaters

6 DISTINT LIFE STAGES

  • Bedlamer
  • Spotted harp
  • Old harp

FUN FACTS

1. HUMANS ARE THERE BIGGEST THREAT

FUN FACTS #2

  • Harp seals have no ears!
  • Babys are born with no protective fat!
  • A single pelt sold for $70!
  • Adults growl and mumble while babies bawl and mumble
  • They get harp shaped mark at about seven years old