Hooded seal vs Surf Scoter

Cystophora cristata compared with Melanitta perspicillata

Key Differences

• Hooded seal is Endangered while Surf Scoter is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Hooded seal	Surf Scoter
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)
Family	Phocidae (True Seals)	Anatidae
Genus	Cystophora	Melanitta
Species	Cystophora cristata	Melanitta perspicillata

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Hooded seal

EN — Endangered

Surf Scoter

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Hooded seal	Surf Scoter
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.

Surf Scoter

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway