To follow up on our discussion of species treading far beyond their normal boundaries, an increasing number of young harp seals are also straying from their northern breeding grounds and showing up on more southern beaches, biologists say.

According to the Associated Press, federal researchers say 297 harp seals were reported on beaches from Virginia to Maine last year, almost double the 152 reported in 1995. The booming arctic harp seal population in Canada, spurred by a hunting ban, and dwindling food sources such as cod are among the reasons being cited.

The seals that are showing up on Maryland beaches are usually about a year old and have already begun turning gray. Adult harp seals, named because of a harp-shaped marking on their backs, are gray with black faces, reaching maturity in four to six years, weighing about 300 pounds and measuring about six feet.

Why seals like that one are showing up is not clear, but marine biologists say it’s not for mating. Floating ice and much colder temperatures are needed for breeding.