The adorable harp seal was once usually found in cold places until humans started to hunt them for their fur and other reasons. Now they are endangered and were once almost extinct. Now the harp seals are rarely found anymore, and it is our job to save them.

The Harp Seal

Harp seals are very independent, but harp seals are very sociable with one another. They swim in large groups that are friendly and talkative. They only bond with their young, and the young only stay with its mother for about three weeks.

Seals usually look worried or sad. This is because the cold wind and snow irritates their eyes. The seal's eyes water and tears fall. The tears mat the fur under their eyes.

The harp seal body is coated with blubber. Blubber is the extra fat on these charming mammals. This blubber is used so the seals can live in their watery homes. The blubber also keeps their body warm, which helps them to swim through the cold water. They swim in water 28°F and colder. 32°F is what humans' call freezing. If humans were to go in water anything colder then that in the water, then they would die within minutes. The harp seal can stay in the water for its life. They live in the northern waters and never feel cold.

The harp seal has great eyes. In the deep ocean, humans can see very little. But a harp seal can see great! They can see their prey almost perfectly. They can do this by their pupils letting in as much light as possible. When they are out of the water their pupils change into vertical slits to shut out the glare.

Also the harp seal has sensitive whiskers. Their whiskers work like antennas. They can pick up the vibration as they swim to search for their prey. They can detect the smallest animals so the seal can quickly snap at them. They are creating an instant meal.

The seal has automatic nostrils. Because seals are air-breathing animals when they go under water they cannot breathe. But when they go underwater their nostrils automatically close. The most that they usually stay underwater is about 20-30 minutes. That gives them about enough time to see what is down there and maybe catch a bite to eat.

Who Are Their Enemies and Why Are They Endangered?

The harp seal has some enemies (beside humans). In the sea their enemies are killer whales and sharks. In the sea they can escape by fast swimming or diving. On land they have polar bears as their enemies. The harp seal is an easy target on land since they can’t really escape. The polar bear is another reason why they are endangered.

For many centuries the seal’s worst enemies have been humans. When the humans scoop fish the harp seals have lost some of their food. If the harp seal can’t find food they have to search somewhere else. Also, fishing gear kills harp seals by hitting and drowning them.

Pollution is another reason why harp seals are endangered. People have dumped their waste in the oceans for many years. Sometimes six-pack holders get caught around the seal’s neck and strangle them. Chemical waste has been found in the seal’s fur. Scientists aren’t sure what the chemicals do to the seals. So, let's just STOP putting chemicals and other trash in our water!

Oil spills hurt or kill the seals. Oil spills coat the harp seal's fur and kills them and other marine life and birds. Since oil spills kill other animals, the harp seals have lost some of their food (if the oil hasn't already killed them already). Oil spills are one of the other big reasons why the harp seal are endangered. This can be prevented if humans would be more careful!

The seal's worst human enemy is the hunter. The hunter kills the seals for their fur and blubber. Both of those things are very valuable. But of course the hunters' also kill them for their meat. The harp seal's meat provides decent meals for humans. It is very sad that they give us so much, and we only give them death. Their fur is used to make fur trim and leather. Is their fat really valuable? You bet! The blubber can be used for a fine oil for margarine, soap, lotion, lipstick, and lamp fuel. Now since harp seals are endangered it is illegal to kill them for any reason. That is great for the harp seal because the harp seals aren't dying, purposely, by us.

The harp seal is raising in population a little bit each year. Like most endangered species, the harp seals were found when they were practically extinct. It is amazing that the harp seal is raising in population. Humans need to have these wonderful mammals on our earth!

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