Translation 2783

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• , •110
are taken by coastal residents. It is believed that th, stocks of
ringed 'seals in the Lake Saima lake system are still smaller tsan
those in Lake Ladoga, and consequently these seals are of little
economic value.
Caspian Seal (lusa caspica Gui., 1788)
The colouring of these seals varies greatly, depending on
their sex and ace. '2he basic colour of adults is ashy-ùreY on the
back and light-grey on the sides and belly; before the moult (in
autumn and winter) the back acquires a cinnamon-brown or olive-brown
colour, and the sides and belly S. muddy-ochre colour. Small almostblack
spots are scattered over the entire body of adult males, forming
a characteristic pattern (ri. 27). Sexually-iMmature females
have fewer spots: these are light-coloured, aid are located mainly
on the back. Some specimens have rusty-reddish muzzle and head.
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td1,
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Pitc. 27. KacitoilcKitil Tioactin):
7 eitanpli; 1331'0c:wit cameti.
Fig. 27. Caspian Seal. a) Whitecoat; b) pup after first
moult; c) adult male.
Uc, w-bern hdhe are covered with long, soft. hair of a green -L:11-
yellow colour, which turns while after a few days. AfLer the first
moult the pups acqujre a silvery-grey colour, dari:er on tW, back
lighter . on tL , belly; small liKnt and dark spots are conspicuous
no L of the snimals.
y autumn their colour ir i1ler and their
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basic