The least common seals in Greenland

In terms of total numbers, the bearded seal and the common seal are the two least common of Greenland’s five seal species. Exact knowledge of these seals’ prevalence and populations is, however, somewhat limited. Generally speaking the current level of seal hunting is sustainable in overall terms, but there may be an exception in the case of the common seal, where there appears to be a decline in the number of breeding pairs.

The bearded seal

The common seal has its usual and most prevalent habitats further south around the American east coast, and the reason that the species is no longer so common in Greenland can perhaps be found in the climatic changes that have occurred in recent decades, which may have caused the common seal to move even further south.

The common seal
The common seal is rare in Greenland and lives mainly in the area from Disko Bay in the north to the east coast at Ittoqqortoormiit. Its skin has an irregular pattern of dark spots on a light grey to brown-grey background, and the skin is used to make the trousers of the women’s national costume. In Kangerlussuaq in July and August you may be fortunate enough to see the seals lying on the sandbanks close to the airport, but in recent years it is mostly around Cape Farewell in South Greenland that this species of seal has been observed.

The bearded seal
The bearded seal is also relatively rare in Greenland, but more common than the common seal. It can be found on all coasts. The Danish name ‘remmesæl’ reflects the fact that its skin used to be used for making belts. Its skin is not patterned and has a grey-brown hue. It tends to live around drifting ice, although it gives birth to its young on fixed ice in April-May. The female gives birth to only one pup every other year, and the pup may well plunge into the water immediately after birth.

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