We humans rarely get to see seals in our normal lives. Also recognized as “Pinnipeds”, there are close to 33 extant species in the world. As they have the tendency to reside in icy regions, they are mostly distributed in parts of the Antarctic. So, it becomes obvious not to get a chance to watch their beauty with bare eyes for humans.
It would a betting challenge that the pinniped pups can probably beat any other pup while considering their beauty. Being so much beautiful, it’s an unfortunate fact that humans are unable to view them in their daily lives.
However, we have gathered the 10 most beautiful seals in the world that are just stunning at first sight.
10. Mediterranean Monk Seal
The Mediterranean monk seal is a fantastic looking seal breed residing majorly in an isolated region of Mediterranean. The monk seals are also found in traces in parts of the Aegean Sea and in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean.
Additionally, the Mediterranean monk seals are considered the world’s rarest seal species in the world. Further, they can grow up to 2.4 meters and weigh up to 400 kilograms. They consist of incredible black and dark grey fur. And the fur sizes very minutely on the body.
9. Weddell Seal
Weddell seal is yet another beautiful seal majorly distributed surrounding Antarctica. While talking about its look, the Weddell seal’s body is grey in color. Additionally, the name “Weddell” comes after the discovery of the seal by a British sealing captain James Weddell.
It was recovered in the 1820s while the British sealing team was on their expedition. Further, the Weddell Seals are known to grow up to 3.5 meters in length and can weigh up to 600 kg. Precisely, the pups can just shatter butterflies in your heart as they tend to be stunningly beautiful.
Finally, while considering their population and estimations, the Weddell seals were hunted drastically in 1950. This had led to a decline in population, however, there have been decent recoveries since then.
8. Bearded Seal
The bearded seal is a beautiful seal found in the Arctic Ocean. Also recognized as “square flipper seal”, they are featured with whiskers and its name was depicted from Greek. In Greek, the bearded seal (eri and gnothos), which means heavy jaws.
As they are featured with whiskers, the seal produces a sporty look. They are basically mid-sized and can weight up to 300 kg. Further, they even fall prey to polar bears. In fact, the pups are known to dive deep at 450 meters. However, adults are known to stay away from such depths.
7. Leopard Seal
Leopard seal is a stunning seal, which is considered the second largest seal species in the Antarctic. Also recognized as “sea leopard”, the leopard seal has a unique body shape and structure. Additionally, the look of the seal is simply amazing as the leopard seals consist of grey coating that perfectly matches with the environment.
Further, the muscular body structure of the seal is sturdy and is considered the top predator in its environment. The leopard seals are known to grow up to a size of 3.5 meters and can weigh up to 600 kilograms.
6. Eared Seal
Eared seal by the name consists of small ears with visible external ear flaps. Also recognized as “otary”, the word comes from the Greek language. The word in Greek symbolizes “little ear”. The eared seals reside in subpolar and equatorial waters throughout the Pacific and Southern Oceans. Additionally, they are also known to reside in regions of the southern Indian and Atlantic Oceans.
Further, there are 15 extant of eared seals that are basically referred to as “sea lion” or “fur lions”. Furthermore, the eared seals are known to weigh up to 1000 kg. The females are known to have the capabilities to dive up to 400 meters in depth.
5. Ringed Seal
As the name depicts, the ringed seal consists of ring-like spotting on the body that makes it incredible to watch at first sight. The ringed seal is also recognized as “jar seal” or “nattiq”.
Additionally, the seal doesn’t consist of ears and mainly reside in the Arctic and sub-Arctic region. An adult ringed seal can grow up to a size of 1.5 meters in length. Further, the ringed patterns on the body are dark in color with grey outlines.
Such body spotting and patterns make it unique to stand out from other seals across the globe. Polar bears and killer whales become their prominent hunters and become primary predators for life.
4. Subantarctic Fur Seal
Subantarctic fur seal is an impressive seal found in the southern parts of the Indian, Pacific, and the Atlantic Oceans. The seal is medium-sized and can weigh up to 160 kg.
While considering their looks, the subantarctic fur seals consist of the creamy-orange chest with black colored on the body. Additionally, the genders are known to be distinguished based on their facial and chest coloration. Further, they are known to live up to 25 years.
The subantarctic by name, emphasizes their distribution geographically across the globe. Finally, they feed on squids and are considered to hunt in deep shallows at night.
3. Hooded Seal
Hooded seal is an impressive seal species reside majorly in parts of central and western North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. Additionally, they tend to wander deep inside the ocean. Further, the hooded seals can be seen living on even drifted pack ice. In fact, they are known to spend almost 90% of their time underwater.
An adult hooded seal can weigh up to 410 kg and grow up to 2.6 meters in height. While talking about their looks, some of the hooded seal species consist of white patches with dark spots on their body.
The younger ones are seen with these spotting but however will be shed as they grow older. Furthermore, the fur can be incredible with bluish-grey contrasting with a white belly.
2. Gray Seal
Gray seal is an attractive seal that resides majorly in the North Atlantic Ocean. Also recognized as “earless seal” or “Atlantic seal”, the gray seal can weigh up to 310 kg and 7.7 ft in height.
Additionally, the eastern and western Atlantic seals are considered genetically distinct for over a million years. Further, they could probably be contemplated as separate subspecies. The grey seals consist of incredible soft silky white fur, which could be mesmerizing at first glance.
The juvenile ones initially suit with pure white but can shed progressively as they grow. An adult gray seal is known to comprise of body fur that is completely waterproof.
1. Harp Seal
You cannot deny the fact of the harp seals holding the top spots for being the most beautiful seal in the world. Also recognized as “saddleback seal” or “Greenland Seal”, the harp seals are native to the North Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.
Additionally, they are ice-lovers and tend to rest on ice for most parts of their life. While considering their looks, the harp seals are simply amazing.
They consist of silver-grey fur all over their body that just blends with the environment. Further, an adult harp seal is known to grow up to 2 meters in height and can weigh up to 140 kg.