User:Petermgonzalez/sandbox

After moulting their natal fur, their color changes to blue-grey on their backs and silvery beneath. Over the course of three years some portions become darker and others brighter after every molt, and only at the age of four years does the bold striped pattern emerge.

Ribbon seals are rarely seen out on the ice and snow. Their method of movement on the ice is unusual and highly specialized. While quickly undulating their body in serpentine motion, they grip into the ice with their claws and using alternating flipper strokes, pull themselves across the ice's surface. It has been observed that this form of locomotion is rendered ineffective on other surfaces, most likely due to the increased friction between the animals fur and the substrate.

While out on the ice, ribbon seals are noticeably indifferent to their surroundings. Humans have been able to closely approach these seals without disturbing them. This would suggest that they experience little predation from land predators such as bears or humans, relative to other seals. When these seals are captured in nets, they are known to engage in a "paying dead" behavior.