Hair, seal

Photomicrograph of seal hair.

Seal hair:
· Medulla absent
· Diameter very fine and uniform
· Scales spinous (elongated-petal shape) and easily visible even in whole mount
· Pelts usually dyed and sheared (guard hairs frequently plucked)

Image courtesy of: Microscopy of Hair Part II: A Practical Guide and Manual for Animal Hairs Forensic Science Communications July 2004 - Volume 6 - Number 3.