A medium-large seal with inflatable nasal sac in males ("hood") used in displays. Some of the shortest nursing periods of any mammal — only 4 days.

Also called: Hooded Seal, Bladdernose

Native status: Native to North Atlantic

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 2.0–2.7 m
Weight200–400 kg
LifespanWild 25–35 years
OrderCarnivora
FamilyPhocidae

§ Encyclopedia

The hooded seal or bladdernose seal is a large phocid found only in the central and western North Atlantic, ranging from Svalbard in the east to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the west. The seals are typically silver-grey or white in color, with black spots that vary in size covering most of the body. Hooded seal pups are known as "blue-backs" because their coats are blue-grey on the back with whitish bellies. This coat is shed after 14 months of age when the pups molt. It is the only species in the genus Cystophora.

Source: Wikipedia — Hooded seal Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Large gray seal with silver-streaked coat; males have inflatable "hood" (red sac on head used in displays).

Similar species. Other northern seal species.

Voice. Various roars and grunts.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Fish, squid, crustaceans.

Behavior. Among the few seal species whose pups are weaned within days of birth (4-day weaning — among the shortest mammal weaning periods known).

§ Range

North Atlantic

§ Habitat

Pack ice, North Atlantic

§ Threats

Climate-driven sea ice loss, fishery interactions.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the hooded seal is currently classified as Vulnerable.

§ What helps

Support Arctic conservation. Reduce climate impacts.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • NOAA Fisheries
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • IUCN Red List 2015