Mammals of the WorldSpotted Seal
Phoca largha
- Order
- Carnivora
- Family
- Phocidae
- Genus
- Phoca
- IUCN status
- LC
- Distribution
- China|Japan|North Korea|South Korea|Russia|Canada|United States
- Realm
- Marine
Other names: Largha Seal
About this species
- Size
- Adults average 1.4–1.7m
- Weight
- 64–113kg
- Diet
- Fish, crustaceans and cephalopods
- Habitat
- Continental shelves and seasonal sea ice
- Gestation
- Just over 10 months
The spotted seal is a relatively small true seal with a rounded head, narrow dog-like snout and short flippers. Adults have a silvery or light-grey coat densely scattered with dark spots; males and females look broadly alike. They average roughly 1.4–1.7m and weigh 64–113kg. White-coated pups shed their natal fur around weaning (NOAA Fisheries species account). The streamlined body narrows toward the hind flippers.
Across its range, spotted seals use continental-shelf waters and the outer margins of moving sea ice. They eat varied fish, crustaceans and cephalopods, generally feeding in water shallower than 200m. During breeding, a female, male and pup may form an unusual temporary family group. Gestation lasts just over ten months, and pups nurse for three to six weeks (NOAA Fisheries species account).
Description: Wildlife of Japan guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com)