Arctic seals are recognized on a worldwide basis for their cuteness and character. These beautiful animals however, are in danger due to the earths rising temperature. Arctic seals require very specific amounts of snow to have children. They’re very picky, and if the amount of snow keeps going down then so will the amount of seals.
Sea ice, which is disappearing at an alarming rate, provides an important base for the deep snow seals need to have babies.
These arctic seals require very particular amounts of snow and ice to make their birthing caves so they can have their children in a safe and comfortable environment.
Areas with only twenty centimeters of snow might even lose up to 70% of their snow by April! This would be catastrophic for the seals.
No ice caves also mean that baby seals can be eaten by predators or run the risk of freezing to death.
Rainfall is also supposed to double by the end of the 21st century, causing these ice caves to collapse if the heat doesn’t do that first.
The loss of these seals would also affect other animals such as the polar bear and killer whales, as well as native humans who are dependent on these seals for food.
Scientist are currently proposing that both the ringed and bearded seal should be listed as ‘threatened’.
Want to read more? Read the full story at: Reduction in snow threatens Arctic seals