Hooded seals are large marine mammals inhabiting the vast, icy waters of the North Atlantic. These fascinating creatures are recognized by their distinctive inflatable “hood,” a nasal sac on males that can be expanded during display. Their distribution and movements are intrinsically linked to the presence of ice. Understanding their habitat involves exploring primary locations, crucial seasonal gathering points, and extensive migratory journeys.
Primary Habitat and Broad Distribution
Hooded seals primarily occupy the cold, deep waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Their survival depends heavily on drifting pack ice, which they utilize for various life stages. This reliance on ice dictates much of their broad distribution, spanning the western and central parts of the northern North Atlantic. Their range extends from Svalbard in the east to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the west. They are commonly found in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Norway, reflecting their preference for these northern latitudes.
Critical Seasonal Locations
Hooded seals converge in critical locations for reproduction and physiological processes. They utilize four main breeding areas, known as whelping grounds, where females give birth on the ice. These include “The Front” off Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Davis Strait. A fourth significant whelping ground is near Jan Mayen Island, referred to as the “West Ice.” After breeding, hooded seals gather for moulting, a process of shedding their old fur, with key grounds located off southeast Greenland, often in the Denmark Strait.
Extensive Migratory Patterns
Hooded seals are highly migratory, undertaking extensive annual journeys. Their movements are tied to the annual cycle of drifting pack ice and food availability. After breeding and moulting, they disperse widely to their feeding areas, which can include the continental shelf edges off Newfoundland and Labrador, central Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, and regions off southwest and southeast Greenland. Individual seals can wander far beyond their typical range, with sightings recorded as far west as Alaska and as far south as the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and the Canary Islands; these distant observations often involve juveniles or individuals at the southern limits of their distribution.
Distinct Regional Populations
Hooded seals are recognized as distinct populations or ‘stocks’ despite their broad geographic range. The two primary groups are the Northwest Atlantic stock and the Greenland Sea stock. These populations utilize specific, though sometimes overlapping, breeding and feeding grounds. Genetic studies suggest some interchange, indicating connectivity across their habitat.