Phoca largha Pallas, 1811
Larga seal
photo by FAO

Family:  Phocidae ()
Max. size:  170 cm TL (male/unsexed); 160 cm TL (female); max.weight: 123 kg
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean and the Arctic: Eastern side of Ostrov Sakhalin to northern Hokkaido. Subtropical to polar.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabit the southern edges of the pack ice from winter to early summer and coastal areas including river mouths, in late summer and autumn. Diet composition varies with the age of the seal; Newly weaned pups feed on small crustaceans, advance to schooling fishes, larger crustaceans, and octopuses, and finally graduate to bottom dwelling fish and cephalopods (Ref. 1394). Inhabits the southern edges of the pack ice from winter to early summer and coastal areas including river mouths, in late summer and autumn. Diet composition varies with the age of the seal; newly weaned pups feed on small crustaceans, advance to schooling fishes, larger crustaceans, and octopuses, and finally graduate to bottom dwelling fish and cephalopods (Ref. 1394). Those in their first year tend to eat mostly small crustaceans, algae, sticks and debris; 1 to 4 year olds mostly eat fishes, larger shrimps, and octopus, occasionally; 5 year olds consumed more benthic invertebrates like crabs and octopus (Ref. 119414).
IUCN Red List Status: (LC); Date assessed: 03 June 2015 Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.