The ringed seals burrow into the snow and dig out caves where they give birth and raise their young. The caves keep the pups warm and hide them from polar bears and other predators.

SAVING BEARDED, RINGED, AND SPOTTED SEALS With their backward-turned rear flippers and blubbery bodies, Arctic pinnipeds like bearded, ringed and spotted seals can look clumsy — though charming — as ...

Ringed seals build snow lairs over breathing holes in the ice to provide shelter for their pups from freezing temperatures and predators.