Pictures and facts about the Ribbon seal

Ribbon seal

Order : Carnivora
Family : Phocidae
Species : Phoca fasciata

The scientific name of the Ribbon seal (Phoca fasciata) sounds like something straight from a "Lord of the Rings" genre, but the truth is, Phoca is 'seal, while "fasciata" is a band or ribbon, hence the name of this seal. The Ribbon Seal inhabits the periodically ice-covered waters in North Pacific. The Ribbon Seal actually has other names, such as: Qaqruliq or Kukupak in Yupik.

They are of medium size, if we would compare them to other ice seals. Usually they would weigh around 70kgs, while a newborn would weigh about 10.5kgs. Newborn Ribbon Seals possess a pelage of white, soft hair, and this gives them protection from the elements. First year pelage would not exhibit the usual coloration of the adults, but by the time they reach their fourth year, color would be any of 4 particular, light-hued ribbons set on dark. They can be found on the following areas: encircling head/neck, encircling trunk or at the navel areas, one at each side of its body. The measurements of the ribbons vary, and fact is, in some individuals, they merge.

They have big eyes, a bit-flat whiskers and weak teeth. A female Ribbon Seal is sexually mature from 2 to 4 years, while the males are at ages 3 to 6. The young Ribbon Seals are born on an ice setting (floes), and the nursing time frame would go from three weeks to a month. Majority of the adult females get pregnant each year.

These seals consume a wide repertoire of foods, but in general, their diet consists of fish, and walleye pollocks, in territories where this kind of prey abounds. Besides fish, they survive on shrimps, crabs and squids.

Interesting fact: One's air sac overlies its ribs at the right side, and the purpose of this structure (it is absent from its relatives' bodies) is basically a mystery. Scientists speculate that it is most probably related to vocalization when underwater.

Facts about the ribbon seal

Fasciata) The head of the ribbon seal is narrow and somewhat catlike (1.

studies have shown that the ribbon seal is a member of the genus Phoca. (Full text)

The foods of ribbon seals are known only for the months of February to June. (Full text)

Ribbon seals are hard to study because of the amount of time spend floating on pack ice and in open water, away from land. (Full text)

How many ribbon seals are there? (Full text)

The main predators of the ribbon seal is the killer whale, sharks and humans. (Full text)

General characteristics: Ribbon seals are of intermediate size compared to other ice-associated seals in Alaska waters. (Full text)

It, like the ribbon seal, is a north Pacific species which breeds mainly in the Okhotsk and Bering seas. (Full text)

Ribbon Seal, Ribbon Seal is a resource available to students and teachers by the Lower Kuskokwim (Full text)

Because of their pelagic habitat, fewer than 100 Ribbon seals are taken by subsistence hunters in Alaska each year. (Full text)

Description & Fascinating FactsThe Ribbon seal, Histriophoca fasciata, (aka Phoca fasciata) is an elusive seal species for researchers because of its remote habitat. (Full text)

Other Neat Infromation:Ribbon seals are so cute! (Full text)

Scientific Name: Phoca fasciata Introduction:The ribbon seal is the most elusive and least known of all the true Alaskan seals. (Full text)

pollock, Theragra chalcogramma) are important components of ribbon seal diet, and some ribbon seals are caught incidentally in commercial fisheries. (Full text)

It is estimated that fewer than 100 ribbon seals are killed each year (Full text)

The coloration of the adult ribbon seal is very distinctive with four white, sometimes yellow-tinted, 10-12cm wide strips or ribbons around the neck, rear half and foreflippers of the seal. (Full text)

The Ribbon Seal is from the order Carnivora. (Full text)

Ribbon seals are found in the Bering, Chukchi and Okhotsk seas. (Full text)