Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which three major populations of harp seals are recognized around the world?

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 global population of harp seals is estimated at nearly 7.5 million animals, which are categorized into three distinct populations:

  • Northwestern Atlantic: This is the largest population, numbering approximately 5 million animals. They breed near the coast of Newfoundland and within the Gulf of St. Lawrence.1
  • Barents Sea: The second largest group consists of between 1.5 million and 2 million animals. These seals breed on the ice-covered White Sea in northwest Russia.1
  • Greenland Sea: The smallest population, numbering approximately 300,000 animals, inhabits the area between Norway’s Jan Mayen Island and the eastern coast of Greenland, with mating grounds primarily located near Jan Mayen Island.1

Some authorities consider each of these three groups to be a separate subspecies.1