Fishin' for Facts: Harp Seal

Common name: Harp Seal
Scientific name: Family Phocidae:

Size: 1.6 to 1.7 meters (or 5.2 to 5.5 feet)
Weight: 130 kg. (287 pounds)
Calf size: 85 cm. (33 inches)

    Dining with a harp seal? Then you'll enjoy arctic cod, capelin, decapods, amphipods, crustaceans, and pelagic fish.

    Santa Claus and harp seals live in the north.  That is, if you believe in harp seals! There are three different populations of harp seal. One is found in the White Sea and has an estimated population of 800,000. The second population Jan Mayen, is thought to have about 300,000 animals. The largest group is found in the North Atlantic. This population is estimated to have 2.3 million harp seals.

    Harp seals may search for their food in waters as deep as 250 meters (That's 820 feet). They have to watch out for predators like walruses and polar bears. A harp seal may live up to 35 years (remember that's a; maximum, not an average) if it avoids predators.