Identification:
Spotted seals have a slender head, broad face, and short, low jaw. The coat is pale, with colors ranging from gray, yellow-gray, and silver-gray, and is marked with numerous, consistent, and prominent dark oval spots. These spots are approximately 1-2 cm in size and arranged in near-parallel lines along the body. Additionally, there are light rings around some spots or irregular light streaks. The belly is silvery-white with fewer spots than the back. Newborn pups have white or smoky-gray fur.
Biology and Ecology:
Spotted seals inhabit most cold to temperate seas. They swim with an undulating motion similar to waves, controlled by their rear flippers, and move on land using their bellies. Newborn pups have thick, milky-white fur, a body length of 75-92 cm, and weigh 7-12 kg. At the time of weaning, pups weigh approximately 30 kg (Boveng et al. 2009). After weaning, females will mate again. Spotted seals live in pairs, with males protecting females and nursing pups, often on rocky outcrops (Quakenbush 1988).
Their maximum lifespan is approximately 35 years (Quakenbush 1988). Males mature at 3 years old, while about two-thirds of males and females mature at around 4 years old, with over 90% reaching maturity at 5 years old (Tikhomirov 1966, Naito and Nishiwaki 1972, Fedoseev 2000, Boveng et al. 2009).
Their diet consists of marine organisms found in their habitat, such as shrimp, fish, crabs, and oysters.
Distribution:
Spotted seals are found in the temperate waters of the North Pacific. While the seas of Vietnam are entirely within the tropics, and no spotted seals have been documented to live and thrive in these waters, a few spotted seals have been caught in the central coastal region since 1998. According to scientists, these seals travel from the northern seas to Vietnam via regular north-south ocean currents.
In addition, this species is distributed in: Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, and the United States.