Most ringed seals that winter in the Bering and Chukchi Seas are thought to migrate northward in spring with the receding ice edge and spend summer in the pack ice of the northern Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.

Why do ringed seals migrate?

As the sea ice retreats in late spring and summer, ringed seals in many regions move northward. During summer and fall when the sea-ice extent is at a minimum and has disappeared from many regions, ringed seals of all ages occur along the edge of the permanent pack ice, on near-shore ice remnants, or in open water.

How do ringed seals move?

Ringed Seals are generally solo by nature. They hunt alone and when they haul up onto ice to rest they will separate themselves. The only time they come together is during mating season when they may set up their lairs in closer proximity to each other.