Types of Polar Seals

Worldwide, 33 species of seal exist, 11 of which can be found in either the Arctic or Antarctic waters of the planet's polar regions. The seals are able to survive the freezing temperatures of these regions by having thick layers of fat and in some cases dense fur to help protect from the cold.

  1. Large Antarctic Seals

    • The Southern polar waters of the Antarctic are home to two of the larger seal species. The male southern elephant seal grows up to 20 feet in length and weighs up to 4 tons. The species is found throughout the Antarctic region on island beaches in huge colonies. The Ross seal grows to around 12 feet in length and up to 1000 lb. in weight. They are a rare species about which not much is known. The species is migratory, spending much of the summer on Antarctic pack ice and wintering on the more southern islands.

    Small Antarctic Seals

    • Antarctica's other seal species are somewhat smaller but are still large. The smallest is the fur seal which grows to around 7 feet in length and 250 lb. The crabeater, leopard and Weddell seals all grow to around 10 feet in length. The Weddell is the heaviest of these three species at around 1000 lb. The leopard seal is a ferocious hunter and will even catch and eat young crabeater seals as part of its diet.

    Large Arctic Seals

    • In comparison to the Antarctic seals, Arctic seal species are smaller. The two largest Arctic seal species are the hooded seal which grows to just under 10 feet and the bearded which grows up to 8 feet in length. The hooded seal gets its name from an inflatable membrane between its top lip and nostrils on the males. The bearded seal is a solitary species which is often found relaxing on ice floes. Both species eat fish, octopus and shellfish.

    Small Arctic Seals

    • The other three Arctic seal species are smaller with the smallest being the ringed seal, growing to just 5 feet in length. It is one of the most common Arctic seals and is found throughout the region's waters. The harp seal is slightly larger, reaching just over 6 feet in length. The young harp seals have a soft white fur which has attracted hunters for the fur trade. The harbor seal grows to just under 7 feet in length and is found in the warmer subarctic waters for most of the year.