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Which fish make up the main part of a harp seal’s diet?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
A mother harp seal and a young “whitecoat.” Adult harp seals are gray with black spots. Young harp seals are called “whitecoats,” “bedlamers,” “beaters,” or “graybacks,” depending on their age.
harp seal A mother harp seal and a young “whitecoat.” Adult harp seals are gray with black spots. Young harp seals are called “whitecoats,” “bedlamers,” “beaters,” or “graybacks,” depending on their age.

The diet of a harp seal is centered on small fishes, primarily including:

  • Capelin (Mallotus villosus)
  • Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida)
  • Polar cod (Arctogadus glacialis)1

In addition to these fish, harp seals consume numerous invertebrates. Contrary to some common beliefs, they rarely feed on the commercially significant Atlantic cod.1