| Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
General Description
Harbor seals are mammals; that is, they are hairy, warm-blooded, air-breathing animals which
suckle their young. They weigh about 24 pounds (10.9 kg) at birth and gain weight rapidly during a
month-long suckling period, perhaps doubling their weight. Average weight for adults is about 180
pounds (81.8 kg) and males are somewhat larger than females. They are covered with short, stiff,
bristle-like hair. Coloration varies, but two basic patterns occur: a dark background with light rings,
or light colored sides and belly with dark blotches or spots. Harbor seals molt annually, usually in
late summer.
Habitat
Harbor Seals are found near coastlines, fresh water river systems, on remote inter tidal sandbars,
rocky shores and ice.
Food
Harbor Seals eat a wide variety of schooling fish, such as salmon, herring, flatfish, crustaceans and
squid.
Life History
Harbor Seals are sexually active at three to five years old and usually breed between the months of
July to August in Alaska. Only a single pup is born per year, most born in June after a ten month
gestation period and weaned at four to six weeks of age. The life span of harbor seals vary, but
captive seals have lived for more than thirty years.
Harbor seals are mammals; that is, they are hairy, warm-blooded, air-breathing animals which
suckle their young. They weigh about 24 pounds (10.9 kg) at birth and gain weight rapidly during a
month-long suckling period, perhaps doubling their weight. Average weight for adults is about 180
pounds (81.8 kg) and males are somewhat larger than females. They are covered with short, stiff,
bristle-like hair. Coloration varies, but two basic patterns occur: a dark background with light rings,
or light colored sides and belly with dark blotches or spots. Harbor seals molt annually, usually in
late summer.
Habitat
Harbor Seals are found near coastlines, fresh water river systems, on remote inter tidal sandbars,
rocky shores and ice.
Food
Harbor Seals eat a wide variety of schooling fish, such as salmon, herring, flatfish, crustaceans and
squid.
Life History
Harbor Seals are sexually active at three to five years old and usually breed between the months of
July to August in Alaska. Only a single pup is born per year, most born in June after a ten month
gestation period and weaned at four to six weeks of age. The life span of harbor seals vary, but
captive seals have lived for more than thirty years.