Phoca sibirica - Baikal seal - a close relative of ringed seals living in the Arctic Ocean.Phoca sibirica included in the family of seals.Mammals Baikal represented by only one this kind.Thus the origin of Phoca sibirica not clear until now.With the mystery of how the Baikal seal appeared on the lake, is a legend about the mysterious tunnel, transmitted to the Arctic Ocean.But, of course, there is no channel.It is believed, however, that the mammal has penetrated into the lake on the river system "Yenisei-Angara" in the Ice Age.
winter the animal comes to the surface.Breathing mammal in airhole erected in thin ice.By the end of the winter out on the ice seals.However, it is in danger of being killed by hunters.
Baikal seal spread almost across the waters of the lake.However mammal inhabiting the territory irregularly.A large number of individuals observed in the Middle Baikal (about half of the total population), as well as in the eastern part (about one third).The main breeding grounds are the following: Cape Sagan AAP Bay, Cape Khoboy.However, a favorite place of Baikal seals are considered Ushkany Islands.Not a very large group of individuals are found on the coastal rocks in the northeastern part of the rocky headlands.
adult Baikal seal covered with short thick hair.On the back of the hair color is brownish-gray, solid color with silver and olive-bluish tint.Boca and abdomen mammal lighter.Warm fur seals are not, and the subcutaneous fat reserves, the thickness of which can be up to twelve centimeters.Fat not only protects against frost, but also from accidental injuries, increases the buoyancy, the energy accumulates.We normally well-fed individuals it is up to fifty percent of the total weight.
On average, the Baikal seal weighs about fifty or sixty kilos, with a length with the one hundred and fifty centimeters.However, there are enough large individuals weighing up to one hundred to two hundred kilograms.The length when they are about one hundred and seventy-one hundred and eighty centimeters.
Cubs (nerpyata) are born with white fur.Because of this they are imperceptible to the snow.Allocates only a black eye.
hibernate seal, usually alone, on the site, away from the coast, in the pack ice.At the same time in a mammal other than the main holes have about twenty more.
in snowdrifts seals do lair.Here, the female seals give birth in March.From the den there is only one exit-entry - into the water.The adult scratches his fingernails throughout the winter, preventing freezing.Born baby begins to dig tunnels in the snow.But for him, the surfacing is dangerous because it can peck crow.
great sensitivity have hair over the eyes and upper lip.With their help seal oriented, they also help to catch fish.
nostrils mammal are presented in the form of two slots.When immersed in the water of the animal they are closed and kept closed.The water is also closed and the ears, which are presented in the form of a small holes.It should be noted that the Baikal seal has an amazing ear.Thus, under good weather conditions, the human step can catch it at a distance of two hundred-four hundred meters.With a favorable wind seal will smell the smell of a man and a half or two kilometers.
The bulk of the diet of seals up golomyanka-goby fish.They have no commercial value to humans.The average individual eats that up to three kilograms of fish a day.
should be noted that natural enemies have no Baikal seal.Only a man.Population reduction is a result of hunting as a poacher and licensing.In addition, there is a lake, and chemical pollution, which also affects the reduction of the number of individuals.
