Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why must seals come ashore or onto ice each year?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
seal
Crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus).
All seals are required to come ashore or onto ice at least once each year to breed.1
In addition to breeding, many species also utilize these land or ice environments for the process of molting, which involves shedding and replacing their hair and skin. During the breeding season, these pinnipeds often congregate in large groups, with some species forming harems or establishing territories on beaches or floating ice floes.231