Classification
Kingdom - Animalia. Phylum - Chordata. Class - Mammalia. Order - Carnivora. Superfamily - Pinnipedia. Family - Phocidae. Genus - Pagophilus. Species - P. groenlandicus.
MorphologyA harp seal has bilateral symmetry. This means that if you cut the seal into right and left halves (called a sagittal cut), the two halves will be basically identical to each other. This is the same time of symmetry seen in humans.
When baby harp seals are born they have a thick white fur that is slightly yellow at first. They grow out of it at the ages of 7 and 12. When adults they are white with brown spots in the shape of a harp. Usually they have brown heads. Harp Seals have dark black eyes. They have little black specs above their eyes as eyebrows, with a black nose and mouth |
Adaptions For Survival
Harp seals have a huge fatening called blubber. The blubber helps to keep them warm since they live in a very cold environment.When harp seals are born, they have a white fur coat. The fur coat camouflages into the snow to protect them from their enemies on land.
They also have sharp eyes that can see clearly when they're underwater to look out for their enemies and also find their prey.
Harp seals are also fast swimmers which once again helps them to escape from their predators.
They also have sharp eyes that can see clearly when they're underwater to look out for their enemies and also find their prey.
Harp seals are also fast swimmers which once again helps them to escape from their predators.
Importance
Harp seals are second only to fur seals in commercial value. Hunters kill them for fur, oil, and leather. Native peoples of the north kill 10,000 seals a year for food and fiber, and the commercial take is much higher yet.
If not for the harp seal then more fish may over populate the cold seas.
If not for the harp seal then more fish may over populate the cold seas.
Facts
1. The average life span is 20 years for a harp seal.
2. Adult harp seals grow to be approximately 5 to 6 feet long.
3. 300 to 400 pounds.
4. Adult male is a bull, adult female is a cow, and a baby is a pup.
5. When a harp seal pup eats, its teeth grow, if the pup does not eat then his teeth won't grow.
2. Adult harp seals grow to be approximately 5 to 6 feet long.
3. 300 to 400 pounds.
4. Adult male is a bull, adult female is a cow, and a baby is a pup.
5. When a harp seal pup eats, its teeth grow, if the pup does not eat then his teeth won't grow.
Vocabulary
1. Bull - A male harp seal
2. Cow - A female harp seal
3. Pup - A baby harp seal
4. Coat - The fur on the seal
5. Blubber - Fat that keeps them warm
2. Cow - A female harp seal
3. Pup - A baby harp seal
4. Coat - The fur on the seal
5. Blubber - Fat that keeps them warm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harp_seal
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/harp-seal/
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2012/lind_vale/facts.htm