Common Seals

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Scientific name:  Phoca vitulina

Size:  Grows to around 180cm.  Can weigh up to 150kg

Distribution:  Seen around the coast of Scotland, Ireland and the south and east coast of England

Months seen:  All year round

Habitat:  Coastal areas

Food:  Fish

Special features:  Common Seals, sometimes called Harbour Seals, an be variable in colour from silver-grey to brown.  The fur can be spotted and blotched with darker patches, especially on the back.  The head of the Common seal is more rounded than the Grey Seal and it has a shorter muzzle.

When hauled out on land they frequently adopt a banana-like pose, with their head and tail in the air.

Despite the name, these are less common around the UK coast than grey seals, and they are extremely shy, so you need to keep a good distance so as not to disturb them.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Marine Mammals Section
• UK Safari Identify It Section
• What's Out Now?