Three discrete but migratory populations breed off NE Newfoundland and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence; off the east coast of Greenland and around the island of Jan Mayen; and in the White Sea off the coast of Russia. Today, there around 7 million harp seals.

The adults are silvery white or grey, with dark spots on juveniles and black "harp-shaped" on adults. The newborn have a woolly white coat called lanugo and were much sought after by sealers.

Harp seals eat invertebrates, such as shrimp, and fish.

Harp seals become sexually mature at 4-6 years and live for c. 30 years. The gregarious females give birth to a single pup on newly formed pack ice in mid-February to April, depending upon location. The young are fed on rich milk for c. 12 days during which time they grow from 11 to 38 kg.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Harp seals