Mammal · seal

Hooded seal

Cystophora cristata

PacificAtlanticIndianSouthernArctic Found in 2 oceans

Depth

Often 100 to 600 m, sometimes more than 1,500 m

Size

Male about 2.5 m and 300 kg, female 2.2 m and 160 kg

Diet

Polar cod, Greenland halibut, redfish, Gonatus squid

Zone

Sunlit zone · 0 – 200 m

Key facts

• The male inflates a hood-like sac on his head, and a red membrane that comes out of his nose like a balloon.
• The pup nurses for only 3 to 5 days, the shortest nursing period of any seal. It almost doubles its weight.
• Its milk contains more than 60% fat.
• It can stay underwater for up to an hour.

Verified sources

1. NAMMCO : Hooded seal

In the game: To observe

In the same zone

Polar codBoreogadus saida Sea angelClione limacina Antarctic krillEuphausia superba Weddell sealLeptonychotes weddellii European eelAnguilla anguilla Portuguese man o’ warPhysalia physalis