Common Seal

Maximum longevity: 47.6 years (captivity) Observations: In the wild, these animals are believed to live up to 40 years (Bernhard Grzimek 1990). One wild born specimen was about 47.6 years of age when it died in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005).

Harbour seals are good swimmers. The pinipeds serve as rudder. The body and back pinnipeds cause propulsion. The seal is highly adapted to speed with its torpedo-like body and pinna. Observations made from ships revealed that they generally swim just 10 m beneath the water surface and that only rarely will they hunt under –20 m. Young harbour seals are born on tide-sandbanks between the end of June and mid July, and are required, almost immediately (during high-tide) to be able to swim.

In general, harbour seals feed on benthic fish (such as flounder, sole, cod and whiting), but they must largely be quite opportunistic in regard to what they eat. They may also feed on mussels, crabs and cephalopods.

Fish, crustaceans, squid

North America

temperate to polar

nearshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean and adjoining seas above about 30 degrees latitude

Distinguishing Characteristics: small in size in relation to seals, dog-like face, v-shaped nostrils, colour varies from white to tan to dark brown to red (molttled):

Harbour seals can reach up to 1.6 m in length and weigh about 120 kilos. Their colour varies from grey to brown with black marks. A characteristic feature is their V-shaped nostrils.