Seals

The seal family includes ringed, harbour, spotted and bearded seals, sea lions and walrus. Ringed and bearded seals are the most commonly used. Ringed seals are hunted by Inupiat along the Arctic Ocean coastline; harbour seals inhabit the entire coastline region and are hunted by all groups in this region. Both are hunted for their meat, their skins for footwear, clothing, tents and rope, and their blubber for food and fuel. Bearded seals are large with thick skins, which are highly sought-after for boot soles, harpoon lines and rope. Spotted seals are a variety of the harbour seal. Their creamy white pelt with black spots is highly treasured for skin boots. A larger seal, the northern fur seal, was commercially hunted during the 1800s and early 1900s so intensely that they almost became extinct. Sea lions and walrus were used for food, boot soles, rope, ivory tools, intestine clothing, storage containers and drumheads.