What is the scientific name of the harp seal?

The scientific name of the harp seal is Pagophilus groenlandicus.

The harp seal is a North Atlantic and Arctic pinniped named for the dark, curved markings on the backs of adults. These markings can suggest the outline of a harp, although young pups are born with a white coat and do not show the adult pattern immediately.

Its genus name, Pagophilus, refers to an affinity for ice. Harp seals gather on sea ice for breeding and pupping, making floating ice platforms central to their life cycle. They feed mainly on fish and invertebrates, including capelin, herring, polar cod, and krill.

Harp seals are true seals, so they lack external ear flaps and move awkwardly on land compared with sea lions. The ringed seal, Pusa hispida, is a different Arctic species and is notably smaller.