[5] The ribbon seal has a short snout with broad, deep internal nares and large, rounded, front-facing orbits.

[6] The ribbon seal has a large inflatable air sac that is connected to the trachea and extends on the right side over the ribs.

[citation needed] Unlike other pinnipeds, the ribbon seal lacks the lobes that divide the lungs into smaller compartments.

[7] The ribbon seal can grow to a length of about 1.6 m (5.2 ft) and a weight of 95 kg (209 lb), with males being larger than females.

[10] During the winter and spring, the ribbon seal lives in open water, though some move south as the ice recedes with warmer temperatures.

It has been observed that this form of locomotion is rendered ineffective on other surfaces, most likely due to the increased friction between the animal's fur and the substrate.

[16] Breeding occurs once annually, and takes place usually in late May to June, corresponding to the loss of sea ice in spring.

[15] While lactating, a female ribbon seal will not forage for food, but must rely on fat stores in her body.

These pups do not enter the water until their lanugo is completely gone because their layer of blubber, and protection from cold ocean temperatures, remains undeveloped until shedding.

Young ribbon seals were over hunted because of their soft and dense fur coat, which caused the population to decline.

In March 2008 the US government agreed to study Alaska's ribbon seal population and considered adding it to the endangered species list.

However, in December 2008, the US government decided that sea ice critical to the seals' survival will not be endangered by global warming, and declined to list the species.

On July 10, 2013, after again reviewing the status of this species, the National Marine Fisheries Service found that listing under the ESA was not warranted.