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Size
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Newborn ringed seals weigh about 10 pounds at birth. Adult males and females will reach an average length of 5 feet and weight of 110 to 150 pounds. They weigh the most during winter and early spring because of the thick layer of blubber under their skin.
Identification
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Ringed seals have a dark coat on their back with silver rings. Their belly is silver. They have a plump body with a small head and a short, catlike snout.
Diet
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Ringed seals' diet varies depending on the depth of water, distance from shore and availability. Their diet includes a variety of fish, invertebrates and amphipods.
Life Span
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Ringed seals have a life span of about 25 to 30 years. Main predators of the ringed seals include polar bears, wolves and killer whales. Pups are often eaten by red foxes, ravens and arctic foxes.
Considerations
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Ringed seals can dive to depths of 300 feet and remain submerged for up to 45 minutes.
The most serious threat to the ringed seal population is climate change. Their habitat is dependent upon pack ice.
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Information on Ringed Seals
Ringed seals are the smallest seal species. Their name comes from the light-colored circle patterns on their dark-gray backs. According to the Alaska Department of Fish &Game, the worldwide ringed-seal population is more than 2 million.