Mammal · GBIF taxon 2434793
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulinaAlso known as Common Seal, Atlantic Harbor Seal, Pacific Harbor Seal
Harbor seals haul out onto rocky islets, sandy beaches, and ice floes to rest, molting their dense spotted coats each summer. Thick blubber and specialized blood vessel networks conserve vital body heat in frigid northern ocean waters. Distinctive V-shaped nostrils seal tight upon submergence, enabling deep stealthy dives after bottom-dwelling fish.
Marine MammalCoastalAquatic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Herring
- Flounder
- Squid
Predators
- Orca
- Great White Shark
- Steller Sea Lion
ThreatsEntanglement in fishing gear, ocean pollution, coastal disturbance
HabitatsCoastal waters, estuarine mudflats, sandbars, rocky shores
Life span20 to 35 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhocidae
- SpeciesPhoca vitulina
N. Atlantic N. Pacific Arctic Ocean
Marine distribution — the ocean basins and seas where the species occurs.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a painful bite if cornered on land; maintain a safe distance.
- Why it is dangerous
- Bites transmit harmful bacterial pathogens including Mycoplasma species that cause a painful infection called seal finger.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by a spotted coat, absence of external ear flaps, and V-shaped nostrils.
- What to do
- Remain at least 100 yards away and never attempt to approach, corner, or handle a seal on land.
- What to notice
- Look for resting aggregations on secluded sandbars, rocky reefs, or estuarine mudflats at low tide.
- Support conservation
- Observe quietly through telephoto lenses or binoculars and back away if resting seals lift their heads.
Responsible observation
- Observation Distance: Maintain at least 100 yards of space from hauled-out seals to prevent stampedes.
- Stranded Pups: Never touch or move a lone pup on the beach, as mothers forage at sea for hours.
- Leash Pets: Keep dogs strictly on leash near coastal haul-out locations to avoid mutual stress.
Predator (c) Martín Acosta Albarracín, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Martín Acosta Albarracín · cc-by
Competitor (c) Liam Steele, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Liam Steele · cc-by
Prey (c) rlacroix, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by rlacroix · cc-by
Close Relative Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Kingfisher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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