Mammals diurnal

Hooded Seal

Cystophora cristata

The Hooded Seal is the North Atlantic's most enigmatic marine mammal, famous for the male's remarkable inflatable nose and the shortest nursing period in the animal kingdom. These solitary deep-divers are true masters of the drifting ice.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Males reach 2.5–2.7m (8.2–8.9 ft) and 300–410kg (660–900 lbs); females reach 2–2.2m (6.6–7.2 ft) and 145–300kg (320–660 lbs).

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Colors

Silver-grey coat with irregular black blotches; males have a black inflatable nasal sac and a red inner-nasal balloon.

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Key Features

Inflatable black nasal 'hood' on males
Silver-grey fur with bold black spotting
Square-shaped snout and broad head
Pups have a distinct blue-grey 'blue-back' coat

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours Daylight hours for resting on ice; diving and hunting occur throughout the 24-hour cycle.

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Season March and April (pupping and breeding) and June to August (molting).

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Diet Carnivorous deep-divers; they primarily hunt squid, krill, and bottom-dwelling fish such as Greenland halibut, redfish, cod, and capelin.

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Habitat Deep North Atlantic waters and drifting pack ice; they are rarely seen on solid land, preferring the floating ice edge.

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Behavior

Hooded Seals are the nomads of the North Atlantic, living much of their lives in solitary isolation compared to the highly social behavior of other seal species. They are best known for the male's extraordinary territorial displays. When threatened or looking to impress a mate, a male will inflate his nasal cavity into a large black balloon; if that isn't enough, he can blow out his bright red nasal septum through one nostril, which looks like a large red bubble. This behavior is a clear signal of dominance and health.

These seals are aggressive and highly territorial, especially during the brief breeding season on the pack ice. Unlike many mammals that nurse for weeks, Hooded Seal mothers nurse their pups for only 3 to 4 days—the shortest lactation period of any mammal. During this time, the pup doubles in size, fueled by milk that is roughly 60% fat, preparing it for the icy waters and a life of deep-sea diving.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Hooded Seal on a trail camera requires a coastal location in the North Atlantic, specifically near the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, or the coast of Greenland. Because these seals prefer drifting pack ice over solid land, the best strategy is to mount cameras on rocky shorelines or stable ice shelves during the late winter and early spring. Look for areas with easy water access where seals might haul out to rest. Position your camera about 2 to 3 feet off the ground to get an eye-level view of the seal, which makes for a much more intimate and powerful image than a downward-looking angle.

Exposure settings are critical when photographing seals on ice. The high reflectivity of snow and ice can easily trick your camera's sensor into underexposing the seal, leaving it looking like a dark silhouette. If your camera allows for exposure compensation, set it to +1 or +2. Use 'No Glow' or 'Black Flash' infrared cameras if you are monitoring at night, as the bright flash of standard LEDs can be jarring in an otherwise pitch-black arctic environment. To capture the male's rapid 'hood' inflation, set your camera to burst mode or high-speed trigger with a short delay between captures.

Given the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic, equipment durability is your primary concern. Use high-quality lithium batteries, as standard alkaline batteries will fail quickly in sub-zero temperatures. Ensure your camera housing is rated for saltwater spray, or better yet, use a protective security box to prevent corrosion. If you are setting a camera in a 'backyard' that borders a coastal cliff, use a wide-angle lens to capture the seal against the dramatic backdrop of the ocean, providing a sense of scale to these massive animals.

Finally, always respect the animal’s space. Hooded Seals are significantly more aggressive than Harbor or Gray seals and can move surprisingly fast over ice. Set your camera when the area is clear and use a high-capacity SD card so you don't have to visit the site frequently. The goal is to document their natural behavior without causing them to retreat into the water prematurely.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Hooded Seal.

Harp Seal

Smaller with a distinct black 'harp' or U-shape on their back, whereas Hooded Seals have irregular spotting.

Harbor Seal

Harbor seals have a more 'dog-like' face with V-shaped nostrils and lack the large inflatable hood of the male Hooded Seal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hooded Seals are most easily spotted during the day when they haul out onto ice floes to rest and sunbathe. However, they are active hunters throughout the night, often performing deep dives to find squid and fish.

You cannot attract Hooded Seals with food or lures. Success depends entirely on location; if your property borders the North Atlantic coastline near their migratory routes, you may see them during the spring pupping season or summer molting period.

Their diet consists of deep-sea prey including squid, Greenland halibut, redfish, and various types of cod. They are incredible divers, reaching depths of over 1,000 meters to forage.

No, they are strictly marine mammals found in the North Atlantic. They are only seen near human habitation in specific coastal regions like Newfoundland or Greenland during the winter and spring when pack ice moves close to shore.

Hooded Seals are much larger and have irregular dark spots on a silver-grey coat, whereas Harp Seals have a distinct black 'wishbone' or 'harp' pattern on their backs. Male Hooded Seals are also the only ones with the inflatable nasal sac.

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