Newly-weaned pups feed mostly on crustaceans until their diving abilities improve. In the UK the harbor seal is more commonly known as the common seal. Seal pups are nourished by their mothers fat-rich milk for about 4 weeks after their birth. Read on to find out more about this fascinating marine mammal…. They inhabit the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Baltic and North Seas but generally stay close to the coast, hence their name. They are able to swim within hours of being born. Home Mammals Harbor Seal This species is also known as the common seal, because it is often seen in these surroundings, not infrequently venturing up into river estuaries, too. Harbor seals, also known as common seals, spend half their time in the sea and half on land. The Harbor seal is an important indicator species. The harbor seal is a marine mammal in the true seal family (Phocidae). It is largely solitary, although it will form small mixed groups when hauled out to rest or to molt and during the breeding season. White Rhinoceros Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information. Countries / territories in which the harbor seal is found include the United States, Canada, Russia, Japan, Greenland, Iceland, the UK, France, and several other western and northern European countries. The harbor seal’s diet consists mainly of fish. Thick fur and blubber offer protection against freezing temperatures. Unlike sea otters and river otters, harbor seals don’t rely on fur to stay warm. Click the picture above for more details & to view free sample pages! The worldwide harbor seal population is estimated to be 500,000 individuals. Vocalizations, including grunts and yelps, are mainly used during the mating season and between a mother and her pup. Prey species include salmon, mackerel, cod, anchovy, herring, and sea bass. The mating season of the harbor seal varies by location. The Atlantic harbor seal population is stable, which means that it is not at risk of extinction. Populations have increased and none of the harbor seal species are currently endangered. Mothers do not teach pups to hunt; they learn on their own. Find out which other seals live in the Arctic. Baby seals are born on pack ice floating in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Harp seal mothers are able to identify their babies by their smell. The harbor seal mainly inhabits shallow coastal waters, and can be found in bays, estuaries and intertidal areas. On average, a female harbor seal matures at the age of 3.72 years. Instead, they move by undulating in a caterpillar … Harbor seals are opportunistic feeders who tend to hunt for fish, cephalopods, and other invertebrates during high tide. The harbor seal has a dog-like face, with a more rounded snout than the Roman-style “nose” that typifies the grey seal. Most harbor seal pups shed a white wooly coat before they are born. Harbor, ringed, ribbon, spotted and bearded seals, as well as northern fur seals and Steller sea lions live in the Arctic region. Pacific harbor seals are the most common marine mammal in Puget Sound, and their populations are healthy. The mother nurses the pup with rich milk for three to six weeks. Dinosaur Facts, Pictures & Information. They are true seals; that is, they do not have visible ear flaps. The harbor seal (harbour seal, common seal, Phoca vitulina, hair seal). Amazing Facts About the Harbour Seal The UK supports nearly half of the overall European harbour seal population, and 5 % of the global population. The harbor seal hunts at all depths and will take prey anywhere from the surface to the sea bed. It is one of two seals found in the UK, the other being the larger (and more common) grey seal. When the pups reach about 80 pounds (36 kilograms), their The harbor seal (also known as the common seal) is marine mammal found in coastal regions of both North America and Europe. Courtship and mating take place in water. Harbor seal conservation When harbor seals live in areas that are heavily fished, they can become entangled in fishing lines, and overfishing can negatively affect their access to food. They are also susceptible to viruses from contaminated sites and exposure to oil spills and other chemicals. It is a pinniped (related to walruses and sea lions) that lives along shorelines in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in temperate, subarctic, and arctic waters. The harbor seal has a streamlined body, a rounded head and two pairs of flippers. They can survive both in polar and in tropic water. In California, harbor seals are … Seals share a common ancestor with dogs and bears and have upper and lower arms and legs concealed within their skin. Rainforest Layers: Discover The Different Layers Of A Rainforest (And The Animals That Live In Them), American Badger Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information. They are true seals; that is, they do not have visible ear flaps. They are true seals; that is, they do not have visible ear flaps. Spots or rings are visible on the dorsal surface and much more sparse on the underside. All State Mammals - All Aquatic Life Symbols Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), like all marine mammals, are protected under the MMPA (The United States Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972). Harbor Seal Facts For a printable version of this information, please click here.. Harbor seals are pinnipeds. Interesting Fact. Young that are born prematurely or very early in the season have a covering of whitish downy hair known as lanugo. Harp seal mothers are able to identify their babies by their smell. They are particularly common around Western Scotland and the Northern UK islands. SeaDoc Society is a program of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center. Animal InfoBooks Animal InfoBooks. Harbor Seal – Phoca vitulina Description The Harbor Seal is fairly small when it is compared to the many other species of seals out there. United States: 501(c)(3) Tax ID: #94-6036494Canada: Tax ID: 154146 (More about giving from Canada and outside the U.S.), 942 Deer Harbor Road, Eastsound, WA, 98245, More about giving from Canada and outside the U.S.). The most significant threats locally include mass die-offs from disease outbreaks, exposure to agricultural and industrial pollution, and conflicts with fisheries. With a streamlined body and a layer of blubber for insulation, the species is fully adapted for a marine lifestyle. Its fur is thick and short and is made of coarse guard hair and fine, dense underhair. The male harbor seal is about 5-6 feet in length and weighs up to 200-375 pounds. Join the thousands of Active Wild subscribers who receive free wildlife and science news & info direct to their inboxes! There are five claws on each flipper. Harbor seals play a crucial role in the culture and diet of Alaska Natives; the annual subsistence harvest of harbor seals in Alaska is about1,800 to 2,900 animals, with fewer seals harvested in recent years. The species is distributed over a large area, and estimates for the total population size range from 300,000 to 600,000 individuals. Discover one of Africa’s most iconic animals. They have a rounded, spindle-shaped body. The male harbor seal is about 5-6 feet in length and weighs 200-375 pounds. Harbor Seals are phocidseals or “true seals” meaning they do not have external ear flaps and their front limbs are shortened, which limits their movements on land. In one breath a seal can exchange 90% of the air in its lungs. The harbor seal is the most widely distributed species of pinniped. ActiveWild.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon stores. The harbor seal may be found hauled out on rocky islets, sandy beaches, vegetation, sea ice, mud flats and various manmade structures. Follow the link below to find out more and to sign up! The seals seen at Rome Point are almost exclusively Western Atlantic Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina concolor). There are 33 species of seals in total. Currently, five subspecies of harbor seal are recognized: the eastern Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), the western Pacific harbor seal (P. v. stejnegeri), the eastern Atlantic harbor seal (P. v. vitulina), the western Atlantic harbor seal (P. v. concolor), and the Ungava seal (P. v. mellonae). The nostrils on them are a V shape which is a characteristic you won’t find with any other species of seal out there. In other words, the health of seal populations can tell us a lot about the health of our marine ecosystems. Harbor seals are the seals with the largest geographical range, they are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Baltic and North Seas. Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook. A seal's whiskers help it hunt and navigate by sensing pressure waves from fish and underwater objects. They are found along the coasts of North Sea and the Baltic Sea; as well as the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans. The seal’s undersides are usually pale. The seal’s snout is dog-like and has V-shaped nostrils. Harbour Seal - Phoca vitulina Taxon: Pinnipedia General fact sheet (click to download) (Also known as Common seal) Habitat: Coastal & marshland Description: Fine spot-patterned grey or brown fur; rounded head with no ears visible; 'V' shaped nostrils and long whiskers. They vary significantly in color and can be dark brown, tan, or various shades of gray. Humans can only change 20% of our air per breath. • They inhabit the Northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the … The average depth of a foraging dive is around 91 m (299 ft.), although the species has been recorded at depths of up to 427 m (1,400 ft.). In the Atlantic, they are found from Maine to Massachusetts. Male harbor seals use a number of strategies to attract mates. The seals are usually either one of two main types: a pale base color with dark spots, or a dark base color with dark spots ringed with a pale color. Description: Harbor seals are brown, tan, or gray, with V-shaped nostrils. Description: Harbor seals are brown, tan, or gray, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. Harbor seal facts, pictures & in-depth info. Underwater viewing allows patrons to get close to these amazing animals. Its eyes are big, round and dark, it has ear openings, and long, droopy whiskers used for finding food underwater. Click on the photo below to discover this week’s animal! Seals have a life span of about 25 to 30 years. Harbor seals, also known as common seals, spend half their time in the sea and half on land. (It’s completely free, you can unsubscribe at any time, and we’ll never share your details.). The harbor (or harbour) seal (Phoca vitulina), also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere.The most widely distributed species of pinniped (walruses, eared seals, and true seals), they are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic, Pacific Oceans, Baltic and North Seas. Harbor seals are members of the true seal or “earless seal” family. The harbor seal is an opportunistic carnivore, feeding on whatever prey is most abundant and easiest to catch. Rainforest Animals List With Pictures, Facts & Links To Further Information, Plus FREE Printable Question Sheets, Are Whales Mammals? Harbor seals are pinnipeds. Male harbor seals play no part in looking after the young. Harbor seal pups make distinctive calls that can be heard for up to a kilometer. In their early weeks of life, a mother harbor seal may carry her pup on her back while swimming and diving. They also lack external ear flaps and instead have a small hole (opening to the ear canal) on either side of their head. The harbor seal is diurnal (active during the day). They use oxygen already in their blood and muscles while under water, and their heartbeat slows from about 100 beats per minute to 10. This includes the northern Atlantic from the French coast northwards towards the Barents Sea … Seal-tissue tests reveal elevated levels of PCBs in animals tested in southern Puget Sound. Discover A Common (But Elusive) Nocturnal American Canid. Click here for a library of harbor seal resources. Harbor seals are true seals and therefore do not have ear flaps or hind legs that can rotate forward. Harbor Seal Facts and Figures Harbor seals are fascinating creatures with a number of unique adaptations to accommodate their cold aquatic habitat. Pacific harbor seals are the most common marine mammal in Puget Sound, and their populations are healthy. The harbor seal is smaller, has a rounder head and a more concave forehead than the grey seal – a species with which it shares part of its range.

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