It’s often believed that when animals aren’t seen for years, they are likely no longer around. However, that’s not always the case, as in the situation with this shy ringed seal.
People were excited to spot her in Washington. The seal surfaced just long enough for a few pictures before diving back into the water.
Photographs of this rare sight allow us to learn more about this little-known creature. The striped seal was spotted on Long Beach, a peninsula in Washington, this year. NOAA Fisheries Service captured these beautiful moments and reported that the seal appeared to be in great condition.
Unfortunately, the seal only stayed on the surface for a short time before disappearing back into the ocean.
There are about 400,000 ribbon seals in the North Pacific, so they aren’t endangered. However, since they live deep in the sea, sightings are rare.
The last time a striped seal appeared in the U.S. was in 2012. A woman in Seattle was surprised when the animal jumped onto the pier next to her. A USDA Wildlife Service worker later explained to LiveScience that the seal was simply resting and cooling off.
Since then, these seals have mostly been found in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, between Alaska and Russia, which are their usual habitats.
Not much is known about striped seals because they live in such remote areas. However, it’s known that they have a special air sac near their neck, but the exact purpose of it remains unclear. It’s thought this may help with underwater communication, though there could be other reasons as well.
With global warming, it’s expected that we might see more of these seals in the future. However, as much as we’d love to see them, it’s best for the seals to remain in their natural home in the beautiful North Pacific.