578A - Seals III - Hooded seal

The hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) is an arctic pinniped found in the North Atlantic and the North Arctic. It is similar in size to the grey seal. Adult males can reach a length of 3 meters and weigh 300-400 kg. The female is smaller. The fur is greyish while the head is quite dark. The hooded seal is characterized by a bladder on the head of the adult male which can be inflated like a large balloon-like sac. It feeds mainly on fish, such as cod, redfish and shrimp, diving up to 600 meters after food. The hooded seal can live to about age 30 to 35. It is common in Icelandic waters and is most often seen far from the coast.