Ribbon Seal

Histriophoca fasciata Endangered The ribbon seal inhabits the Arctic. They are dependent on sea ice for mating, whelping pups and molting and prefer moderately thick, stable, new, clean, white ice floes with even surfaces. When the ice recedes and the breeding and molting seasons come to an end, ribbon seals move northward until the ice gets too thick and then remain in the water for the rest of the year. Threats include oil and gas development and climate change. Lithograph 2018