Ribbon Seal, Histriophoca fasciata

The ribbon seal, Histriophoca fasciata, is a small, brown seal named for the distinct bands of yellowish white around its neck, front flipper, and rump; fasciata means "band" or "ribbon." Females are less brightly coloured than males.

Ribbon seals occupy the pack ice in the Bering and Beaufort Seas, where they feed primarily on pollock and shrimp. They also feed on squid, eelpout, herring, halibut, capelin, cod, and some crustaceans. Predators of the ribbon seal include the orca, Greenland shark, and polar bear.

Pups are born on the ice in April and May, and bear a fluffy white coat which is replaced 3–6 weeks later with a blue-grey pelage. The periods of moulting and weaning coincide, after which time the females are ready to mate again.

Adult ribbon seals of both sexes are an average of 1.6 m in length, and weigh 70–80 kg. Pups weigh about 9–10 kg and measure 80–90 cm at birth. Females reach sexual maturity at 2–5 years, males at 3–6 years.