Information on Spotted Seals

Spotted seals live in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Habitats include the coasts of Alaska and throughout the Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, and the Sea of Japan. According to the National Marine Mammal Laboratory, the entire spotted seal population is under 300,000.

  1. Size

    • Newborn spotted seal pups weigh 18 to 26 pounds and average 33 inches in length. Adult males and females weigh 180 to 240 pounds. Grown spotted seals are between 4.5 and 5.5 feet long.

    Identification

    • Adult spotted seals are silvery-gray in color with dark gray on their back and are covered with black to brown irregular sized spots. Their body is of a medium size and they have a narrow, dog-like snout. Pups have a white lanugo coat but molt to adult colors by 3 to 4 months of age.

    Diet

    • Spotted seals' diets vary depending on season, location and age. Their diet includes a variety of fish, crustaceans and octopus.

    Life Span

    • Spotted seals have a life span of approximately 35 years. Main predators of the spotted seal include polar bears, brown bears, walrus, sharks, sea lions and humans.

    Fun Facts

    • During the spring, spotted seals form groups of three, which include a pup, a mother and her mate.

      Spotted seal pups take longer to learn how to dive and swim than other ice seals.

      Spotted seals can dive up to 1000 feet.