Migration: Three identical but seperate harp seal populations live on the fridges of Arctic ice parks. These populations migrate south to their respective coastal breeding gronds in the spring. The harp seal travels in groups of 10 or more, often packed into large herds, diving , leaping, and swimming in unison. Adult males also preform courtship dances. They roar and bob energetically up and down in an upright position in the water.
Breeding: The juveniles and pregnant cows (females) reach the breeding grounds in early February. The cow picks a sheltered site on the ice for birth and guards its against other females. Born at winter's end with a warm coat, the harp seal pup feeds on its mothers milk for only two weeks. The mother quickly weans her pup because she cannot feed while suckling and becasue the ice bound up is in danger from bears. A newborn pup weighs 18 pounds, but will triple its wieght during suckling.

After weaning, the motherfeeds in the sea and mates with a bull (male). The abandoned pup stays on the ice for a few more weeks to molt its baby fur. It must now learn how to catch its own food. It mainly eats shrimp. After the adults mate, they and the juveniles haul out to molt. They migrate to northern feeding grounds in early May. 

Harp Seal and Man: About 150 years ago, 9 to 10 million harp seals exsisted. Their numbers had decreased by more than two thirds by the 1960's. Blamed for depleting fish stocks, harp seals were hunted by fishermen. Fur hunters clubbed and skinned pups to make fashion items. The pups usually died quickly, but public concern has led to protective measures. The hunting uqota system allows allows only a certain number of seals to be killed, and the harp seal population is increasing by about five percent yearly.

Food and Feeding: The harp seal uses its keen vision and hearing in the dimly lit aters. Its sensitive whiskers can feel the slightest vibrations in the water. Eating mainly shoal fish such as capelin, herring, and Arctic cod, the harp seal empties its lungs to dive after its fast moving prey. The mother uses secret access holes in the ice to leave and rejoin her pup. The harp seal lumbers across land, but its streamlined body cuts through icy waters. 

Sizes: 
Length: 6 - 7 ft. Females slighly smaller.
Weight: Up to 400 lbs.

Breeding: 
Sexual Maturity: Male, 4 years. Females, 5 years
Breeding Season: February to April, birth accurs February- March
Gestation: Delayed implantation. 12 months total
No. of Young: 1

Lifestyle:
Habit: Socaiable and migratory.
Diet: Young eat shrimp. Adult eats capelin, cod, and herring.
Lifespan: Up to 30 years.

Distribution:  The harp seal is found in northern Atlantic waters.
Conservation: Culling is controlled by the governments of Canada (wertesrn herd), Denmark (Greenland herd), and Norway and USSR (Eastern herd). Measures for controlling numbers include a ban on killing nursing mothers, quotas on killing pups. and time limits on culling molting juveniles.

Identifying of Harp Seal: 
Adult: Male slightly larger than female. Silvery coat and black harp sharpe around flanks and back. Harp Shape developes fully when seal is sexually mature.
Juvenile: Silvery head and coat with irregular, dark patches of fur that eventually molt, forming the harp shape.
Pup: Unable to swim at birth, has a thick, pure white coat that is shed after four weeks.

Did You Know: 
Because of its markings, the adult harp seal is also called a "saddleback".
Molting sites may hold up to 10,000 harp seals.
Because white pups blend into the ice, scientist take ultraviolet photographs to count the pups.

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