Harp SealsHarp Seals

(Phoca Groenlandica)Drew MainprizeGr. 6 Fessenden

Scientific Classification Scientific Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaKingdom: Animalia Phylum: ChordataPhylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Class: Mammalia Order: CarnivoraOrder: Carnivora Family: PhocidaeFamily: Phocidae Genus and Species: Phoca Genus and Species: Phoca

GroenlandicaGroenlandica

AppearanceAppearance Dark saddle-like marking on back and Dark saddle-like marking on back and

sidessides Light yellow or grey bodiesLight yellow or grey bodies Black faceBlack face Silvery-grey body Silvery-grey body Dark, black eyesDark, black eyes Baby has a yellow-white coatBaby has a yellow-white coat

HabitatHabitat• Likes to swim in North Atlantic and Likes to swim in North Atlantic and

Arctic oceansArctic oceans• Returns each year to Newfoundland, Returns each year to Newfoundland,

the Greenland Sea and the White Seathe Greenland Sea and the White Sea• Doesn't go on land very oftenDoesn't go on land very often

Life CycleLife Cycle11stst: Egg: Egg22ndnd: At birth has yellow-white coat: At birth has yellow-white coat33rdrd: After three days the coat turns : After three days the coat turns

white and stays white for about 12 white and stays white for about 12 daysdays

44thth: Grows to be 5.25- 6.25 feet: Grows to be 5.25- 6.25 feet55thth: They live for about 20 years: They live for about 20 years

DietDiet

• They are Carnivores• Eats fish and crustaceans

PredatorsPredators HuntersHunters SharksSharks OrcasOrcas Polar BearsPolar Bears

How the Harp Seal contributesHow the Harp Seal contributesto the diversity of lifeto the diversity of life

Harp Seals contribute to the diversity Harp Seals contribute to the diversity of life by eating fish and crustaceans of life by eating fish and crustaceans in the Arctic so they don’t in the Arctic so they don’t overpopulateoverpopulate

How Humans Impact Harp SealsHow Humans Impact Harp Seals

Hunting for baby’s furHunting for baby’s fur Hunt for foodHunt for food Largest slaughter of marine animalsLargest slaughter of marine animals Canadian government gives Canadian government gives

permission to hunt hundreds of permission to hunt hundreds of thousands of thousands of Baby Baby Harp SealsHarp Seals

How can we protect Harp Seals

Stop Seal hunting (make it illegal)Not sell baby Harp Seal furStop global warming

Other Interesting Facts Harp Seals can stay above water for

up to 15 minutes Can weigh up to 300 to 400 pounds Like other seals they are noisy Can live up to 30 years in the wild 95% of hunted Harp Seals are under 3

months of age

References• wikipedia.org• nationalgeographic.com• google.ca/images• google.ca

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