harp seal

Thân thiện

A baby harp seal rests on the icy Arctic shore.

Definition

Noun 1. A common Arctic seal species: The harp seal is a marine mammal native to the northern Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. It is known for the distinctive black, harp-shaped or saddle-shaped marking on the back of adult seals. The species is particularly famous because its pups are born with a thick, white coat.

Usage Examples

• The harp seal population migrates southward in large groups during the winter.
• Researchers are studying the impact of climate change on the breeding grounds of the harp seal.
• The pure white fur of the newborn harp seal pup provides camouflage on the ice.

Advanced Usage

• Conservation context: The term is often used in discussions about wildlife management, conservation, and the regulation of commercial sealing.
  • International agreements have established quotas for the sustainable harvest of the harp seal.

Variants and Related Words

• Pagophilus groenlandicus: The scientific (Latin) name for the harp seal.
• Saddleback seal: An alternative common name, referring to the adult's marking.
• Whitecoat: A term specifically for a newborn harp seal pup, referring to its white fur. (Note: This is a distinct compound noun, not the target word itself).

Synonyms

• Arctic seal: A general descriptive term, though it refers to several species.
• Ice seal: A general term for seals that rely on sea ice for breeding and resting.

Related Phrases

• Harp seal pup: The young of the harp seal.
• Harp seal colony: A group of harp seals gathered together, especially on pack ice.

Học thuật

Noun

1. common Arctic seal; the young are all white

Từ đồng nghĩa

• pagophilus groenlandicus