The extremely rare species of seal possesses fur resembling that of a dappled horse

Lucy May 23, 2023 News 3 Min Read

The ribbon seal is a rare animal with a fur coat that combines black and white colors, resembling a hybrid of a zebra and a horse.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 1 — A rare spotted fur seal is found in nature, and it has been discovered on the coast of Washington State, USA.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 2 — Here is the ribbon seal, a unique species of seal with stunning striped patterns across its body.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 3 — The ribbon seal, scientifically known as Histriophoca fasciata, belongs to the true seal family, Phocidae, and is a medium-sized pinniped species.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 4 — Ribbon seals are typically found in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of the North Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Bering Sea and Okhotsk Sea.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 5 — Ribbon seals have a striking appearance with their fur coat consisting of black or brown coloration adorned with four distinct white markings. These markings include a white collar-like band encircling the neck, a white band encircling the tail, and a white circular patch on each side of the body.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 6 — Typically, newborn ribbon seals are born with white fur. It is only after they reach 3 to 4 years of age that their distinctive “zebra-like” coat pattern starts to become prominent.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 7 — Both male and female individuals of this pinniped species can grow up to 1.6 meters in length and weigh around 95 kilograms. On average, ribbon seals have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 8 — They inhabit the frigid Arctic regions and rarely venture onto land, primarily residing in the icy waters. During the winter, ribbon seals engage in mating and giving birth. In contrast, during spring and summer, they roam freely on the water’s surface.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 9 — This seal species has faced significant hunting pressure in the past, primarily for its fur, leading to a drastic decline in their population numbers.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 10 — However, in 1969, the Soviet government enacted laws prohibiting the hunting of ribbon seals, leading to a population increase for this species.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 11 — Additionally, the US government conducted thorough research and monitoring of the ribbon seal population in 2008, concluding that they are not classified as a critically endangered species.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 12 — Ribbon seals rarely venture onto land unless they are stranded due to drifting sea currents. They have limited terrestrial behavior and are primarily adapted to life in the marine environment.

The Extremely Rare Species Of Seal Possesses Fur Resembling That Of A Dappled Horse 13 — The appearance of the ribbon seal often evokes comparisons to the F1 hybrid offspring of a seal and a zebra.