Found in the sub-Arctic and Arctic parts of the north Pacific Ocean is a seal with the most distinctive markings. Like a perfectly wrapped Christmas present, the Ribbon Seal is black with bands of white that encircle its body.

Judging by their friendly disposition and indifference to their surroundings, it’s thought that Ribbon Seals live a fairly blessed existence without much threat from predators or humans. Male ribbon seals have a unique air sac that connects to the trachea and extends over their ribs. When inflated, biologists believe that this organ is used by the males to produce a noise like a creaky door in a spooky film  – a sound that acts as a breeding call to the local lady ribbon seals.

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