Changes

==Description==

==Description==

Adult ribbon seals measure, on average, about 5 ft (1.5 m) long and weigh about 175 lbs (80kg). Pups measure about 3 feet (1 m) at birth and weigh about 25 lbs (11 kg). Ribbon seals living in the southern part of the Okhotsk Sea tend to be bigger and heavier than those living elsewhere (Fedoseev 2002).

Adult ribbon seals measure, on average, about 5 ft (1.5 m) long and weigh about 175 lbs (80 kg). Pups measure about 3 feet (1 m) at birth and weigh about 25 lbs (11 kg). Ribbon seals living in the southern part of the Okhotsk Sea tend to be bigger and heavier than those living elsewhere (Fedoseev 2002).

Ribbon seals consume about 20 lbs (9 kg) of food each day, mainly feeding on pelagic fish and invertebrates, such as shrimp, crabs, squid, octopus, cod, sculpin, pollack, and capelin. Juveniles feed mostly on krill and shrimp.

Ribbon seals consume about 20 lbs (9 kg) of food each day, mainly feeding on pelagic fish and invertebrates, such as shrimp, crabs, squid, octopus, cod, sculpin, pollack, and capelin. Juveniles feed mostly on krill and shrimp.

Pups are born with a wooly white lanugo coat, which they shed after the period of lactation, which lasts for 3-5 weeks. After one year, juveniles begin to develop a dark body and light bands encircling the neck, each front flipper, and hips. These light bands become brighter after another year. Males generally have darker bodies than females.

Pups are born with a wooly white lanugo coat, which they shed after the period of lactation, which lasts for 3–5 weeks. After one year, juveniles begin to develop a dark body and light bands encircling the neck, each front flipper, and hips. These light bands become brighter after another year. Males generally have darker bodies than females.

Ribbon seals alternate their foreflippers and swing their hindquarters to run across ice, rather than using the caterpillar-like movement typically used by most seals. Ribbon seals are also physiologically and anatomically adapted to make deeper dives (up to about 1950 ft (600 m)) and swim faster than other seals (Fedoseev 2002). They have an air sac that may function as a buoyancy device, for air storage during diving, or for "phonation" (Kelly 1988).

Ribbon seals alternate their foreflippers and swing their hindquarters to run across ice, rather than using the caterpillar-like movement typically used by most seals. Ribbon seals are also physiologically and anatomically adapted to make deeper dives (up to about 1950 ft (600 m)) and swim faster than other seals (Fedoseev 2002). They have an air sac that may function as a buoyancy device, for air storage during diving, or for "phonation" (Kelly 1988).

Ribbon seals become sexually mature after 3-5 years. Adult ribbon seals produce one offspring per year, and gestation lasts 11 months. They breed in May and give birth the following year between late March and April. Molting occurs annually between March and July; juveniles molt earlier and adults molt after giving birth. On average, ribbon seals live for about 20 years, but can reach up to about 30 years.

Ribbon seals become sexually mature after 3–5 years. Adult ribbon seals produce one offspring per year, and gestation lasts 11 months. They breed in May and give birth the following year between late March and April. Molting occurs annually between March and July; juveniles molt earlier and adults molt after giving birth. On average, ribbon seals live for about 20 years, but can reach up to about 30 years.

==Habitat and distribution==

==Habitat and distribution==

==References==

==References==

* Fedoseev, G. (2002). "Ribbon seal Histriophoca fasciata." Pp. 1027-1030 in W. F. Perrin, B. Wursig, and J. G. M. Thiewissen, eds. ''Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals''. Academic Press.

* Fedoseev, G. (2002). "Ribbon seal Histriophoca fasciata." Pp. 1027-1030 in W. F. Perrin, B. Wursig, and J. G. M. Thiewissen, eds. ''Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals''. Academic Press.

* Kelly, B. P. 1988. "Ribbon seal". Pages 95-106 in J. W. Lentfer, editor. ''Selected Marine Mammals of Alaska : Species Accounts with Research and Management Recommendations''. Marine Mammal Commission, Washington, D.C.

* Kelly, B. P. 1988. "Ribbon seal". Pages 95–106 in J. W. Lentfer, editor. ''Selected Marine Mammals of Alaska : Species Accounts with Research and Management Recommendations''. Marine Mammal Commission, Washington, D.C.

* Popov, L. A. 1982. "Status of the Main Ice-Living Seals Inhabiting Inland Waters and Coastal Marine Areas of the USSR". Pages 361-381 in ''Mammals in the Seas''. Vol IV. "Small Cetaceans, Seals, Sirenians and Otters". FAO Fisheries Series.

* Popov, L. A. 1982. "Status of the Main Ice-Living Seals Inhabiting Inland Waters and Coastal Marine Areas of the USSR". Pages 361-381 in ''Mammals in the Seas''. Vol IV. "Small Cetaceans, Seals, Sirenians and Otters". FAO Fisheries Series.

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[[Category: Marine Mammals]]

[[Category:Marine Mammals]]