Mammal · GBIF taxon 5219369
Ringed Seal
Pusa hispidaAlso known as Jar Seal, Netsik, Akiba
Ringed seals rely heavily on landfast sea ice, using strong claws on their front flippers to excavate and maintain breathing holes through ice over two meters thick. Mothers carve out protected snow lairs above these breathing holes to shelter newborn pups from freezing temperatures and predators. Distinctive pale rings scattered across a dark grey coat camouflage these small seals in the fractured light of Arctic ice leads.
MarineArcticIce-Dependent
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Polar Cod
- Arctic Cod
- Amphipods
Predators
- Polar Bear
- Orca
- Arctic Fox
ThreatsLoss of sea ice due to climate warming, industrial disturbance, and ocean pollution
HabitatsArctic sea ice, landfast ice, pack ice, and sub-Arctic coastal waters
Life span25 to 30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhocidae
- SpeciesPusa hispida
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Wild seals may bite if cornered or approached; observe from a safe distance.
- What to notice
- Look for small, plump seals with pale grey rings on dark fur, often basking near breathing holes in fast ice.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a wide berth from ice leads and avoid motorized travel near suspected snow lairs.
Responsible observation
- Observation distance: Keep a distance of at least 100 meters when observing seals on sea ice or floes.
- Lair caution: Avoid stepping on deep snowdrifts over sea ice, which can collapse hidden birthing lairs.
- Quiet watching: Remain still and quiet near ice edges to watch seals surface naturally at breathing holes.
Frequent Companion (c) Nigel Voaden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Co-Occurring Species Close Relative Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.