Distribution of blubber in the northwest Atlantic harp seal, Phoca groenlandica

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Beck, Gregor Gilpin, Smith, Thomas G.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1995
• Subjects: Canada; Lawrence River; Harp Seal; Northwest Atlantic; Phoca groenlandica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z95-234; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z95-234

We examined blubber distribution in 50 mature harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) from the St. Lawrence River estuary, Canada, between December 1988 and April 1989. Blubber was thickest and most variable dorsally, becoming gradually thinner through the neck region and around the foreflippers. Blubber th...