Hooded seal

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

The hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) is an arctic pinniped. It is found only in the central and western North Atlantic. It ranges from Svalbard in the east to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the west.

The male has a peculiar inflatable bladder on the head. This bladder hangs between his eyes and down over his upper lip in the deflated state. In addition, he can inflate a large balloon-like sac from one of his nostrils. The bulge develops when the seal is four years old. The male can blow up this bulge, so that it is the size of its head.

The hooded seal can live to about age 30 to 35.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is the scientific name of the hooded seal?

A: The scientific name of the hooded seal is Cystophora cristata.

Q: Where is the hooded seal found?

A: The hooded seal is found only in the central and western North Atlantic, ranging from Svalbard in the east to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the west.

Q: What is peculiar about the male hooded seal's head?

A: The male hooded seal has a peculiar inflatable bladder on the head, which hangs between his eyes and down over his upper lip in the deflated state.

Q: At what age does the bulge on the male hooded seal's nostril develop?

A: The bulge on the male hooded seal's nostril develops when the seal is four years old.

Q: How big can the bulge on the male hooded seal's nostril become when inflated?

A: The male hooded seal can blow up the bulge on his nostril so that it is the size of his head.

Q: What is the lifespan of a hooded seal?

A: The hooded seal can live to about age 30 to 35.

Q: Can the hooded seal be found in the Arctic?

A: Yes, the hooded seal is an arctic pinniped.