Hooded seal vs Speckled ray

Cystophora cristata compared with Raja polystigma

Key Differences

• Hooded seal is Endangered while Speckled ray is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Hooded seal	Speckled ray
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Rajiformes (Rajiformes)
Family	Phocidae (True Seals)	Rajidae
Genus	Cystophora	Raja
Species	Cystophora cristata	Raja polystigma

Evolutionary Relationship

Hooded seal and Speckled ray share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Hooded seal

EN — Endangered

Speckled ray

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Hooded seal	Speckled ray
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Hooded seal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Portugal. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Speckled ray