| Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission |
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General Description
Harbor seals are mammals; that is, they are hairy, warm-blooded, air-breathing animals which suckle their young.
They weigh about 24 pounds (10.9 kg) at birth and gain weight rapidly during a month-long suckling period,
perhaps doubling their weight. Average weight for adults is about 180 pounds (81.8 kg) and males are somewhat
larger than females. They are covered with short, stiff, bristle-like hair. Coloration varies, but two basic patterns
occur: a dark background with light rings, or light colored sides and belly with dark blotches or spots. Harbor seals
molt annually, usually in late summer.
Habitat
Harbor Seals are found near coastlines, fresh water river systems, on remote inter tidal sandbars, rocky shores and
ice.
Food
Harbor Seals eat a wide variety of schooling fish, such as salmon, herring, flatfish, crustaceans and squid.
Life History
Harbor Seals are sexually active at three to five years old and usually breed between the months of July to August
in Alaska. Only a single pup is born per year, most born in June after a ten month gestation period and weaned at
four to six weeks of age. The life span of harbor seals vary, but captive seals have lived for more than thirty years.
Harbor seals are mammals; that is, they are hairy, warm-blooded, air-breathing animals which suckle their young.
They weigh about 24 pounds (10.9 kg) at birth and gain weight rapidly during a month-long suckling period,
perhaps doubling their weight. Average weight for adults is about 180 pounds (81.8 kg) and males are somewhat
larger than females. They are covered with short, stiff, bristle-like hair. Coloration varies, but two basic patterns
occur: a dark background with light rings, or light colored sides and belly with dark blotches or spots. Harbor seals
molt annually, usually in late summer.
Habitat
Harbor Seals are found near coastlines, fresh water river systems, on remote inter tidal sandbars, rocky shores and
ice.
Food
Harbor Seals eat a wide variety of schooling fish, such as salmon, herring, flatfish, crustaceans and squid.
Life History
Harbor Seals are sexually active at three to five years old and usually breed between the months of July to August
in Alaska. Only a single pup is born per year, most born in June after a ten month gestation period and weaned at
four to six weeks of age. The life span of harbor seals vary, but captive seals have lived for more than thirty years.
