Details
Phoca vitulina
The harbor seal is a pinniped of northern coasts and seas. Its activity follows tides and prey, and it gathers in loose groups at haul-outs.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses rocky shores, sandbars, estuaries, and coastal waters. Animals move between land resting sites and nearby feeding areas at sea.
Body length is about 140-190 cm and weight about 55-170 kg. A rounded head, large eyes, spotted body, and streamlined shape suit underwater swimming.
Activity can occur day or night and often follows tidal rhythms. At haul-outs, individuals gather while keeping personal spacing.
It is carnivorous, taking fish, squid, and crustaceans. Underwater, it uses vision and sensitive whiskers to locate prey.
Pups are born on shore or sandbars and can swim early in life. Mothers alternate nursing with feeding trips.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. Coastal haul-outs are sensitive to close human approach and noise, so distance matters.
