Hooded Seal: where and when to see them

The hooded seal is a large North Atlantic ice-associated seal, named for the inflatable nasal hood of mature males. It spends much of its life at sea and comes onto drifting ice for breeding and moulting rather than forming predictable beach colonies. Males are substantially larger than females. Its offshore distribution and dependence on suitable ice make it an unusual, uncertain subject for distant deck observation and a rare coastal encounter.

Size

2.0-2.6 m long

Weight

145-400 kg

Lifespan

25-35 years

Status

Vulnerable

Adults are generally solitary outside breeding and moulting concentrations. Males display an inflated hood and can extrude a red nasal membrane to signal during competitive encounters. Females nurse their pups on pack ice for an exceptionally brief period before returning to sea. Animals resting on ice may appear inactive but remain powerful and potentially defensive, especially when approached or separated from a clear route to the water. Pups are born with a distinctive blue-gray coat, giving them the name 'bluebacks', which they retain until their first molt. Males use their inflatable hood and nasal balloon as visual and acoustic signals during territorial disputes and courtship displays. These seals are known for their strong mother-pup bond during the brief nursing period, after which the mother abandons the pup to fend for itself.

• Nursing usually lasts only about four days.
• Pups are born with a blue-grey back and pale underside.
• Only mature males develop the conspicuous inflatable hood.
• The red display balloon is a nasal membrane, not the tongue.

Breeding occurs mainly in March and moulting chiefly in early summer, but both involve offshore ice rather than dependable public viewing sites. Summer Arctic travel can provide distant opportunities in the North Atlantic sector, although route, ice conditions and chance strongly govern observation. Prime viewing opportunities from expedition cruises are during their migration periods when they might be encountered in ice-filled waters. Patience is essential for sightings, as their presence is highly dependent on unpredictable ice conditions and ocean currents. Early spring is particularly significant for observing breeding aggregations on ice floes, though often from a distance.

This species inhabits cold North Atlantic and adjacent Arctic waters, with breeding concentrated on drifting pack ice in particular regions. It ranges widely offshore between seasonal gatherings. Ordinary Arctic shores are not dependable habitat for observing it, and distribution is far from circumpolar. This pelagic species spends much of its life at sea, often in deep oceanic waters away from coastal areas. Key breeding and molting grounds are found off eastern Canada, Greenland, and Jan Mayen. Unlike some other seal species, Hooded seals do not typically form large, lasting colonies on land.

Hooded seals eat fish and squid, including prey associated with deep continental-slope waters. Redfish, Greenland halibut and other regional fishes contribute to the diet. Feeding occurs at sea, and resting animals on ice provide little visible indication of this offshore feeding ecology. Their deep-diving capabilities allow them to access prey like grenadiers and Greenland sharks found in abyssal and bathyal zones. Hooded seals are opportunistic feeders and their diet varies geographically and seasonally based on prey availability. They primarily hunt individually, using their excellent underwater vision and sense of touch to locate food.

Common name

Hooded Seal

Scientific name

Cystophora cristata

Animal group

Mammals

Size

2.0-2.6 m long

Weight

145-400 kg

Lifespan

25-35 years

Status

Vulnerable

Identification

The large size, grey coat with irregular dark patches and mature male's inflatable nose distinguish hooded seals from smaller ringed and harp seals. Beyond the large size and grey coat, juveniles are distinctively greyish blue on the back with a lighter belly, gradually developing adult coloration. The unique cranial structure of mature males, which supports the inflatable hood, is also a key feature distinguishing them from other Arctic seals. Their short, broad flippers are also characteristic, aiding in their powerful swimming.