Harp seals are primarily piscivores that eat up to 67 species of fish and 70 species of marine invertebrates. Fish and invertebrates consumed by harp seals varies with their location and the season. Some of the main fish that make up their diet are Mallotus villosus, Boreogadus saida, and Arctogadus glacialis. Pups tend to mainly feed on small invertebrates. ("Harp Seals", 2004; Kovacs, 2008; MarineBio.org, 2009; Novak, 1999; Schliemann, 1990)
Harp seals may dive to extreme depths to capture food. The average diving depth for harp seals is 150 to 200 m and the dives typically last 4 to 13 minutes. ("Harp Seals", 2004; "Pagophilus groenlandicus", 2008; Kovacs, 2008; MarineBio.org, 2009; Novak, 1999; Schliemann, 1990)
Animal Foods: Fish; Aquatic Crustaceans
- Novak, R. 1999. Pagophilus groenlandicus. Pp. 887-888 in Walker’s Mammals of the World, Vol. Volume II, Sixth Edition. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.