Seal

Harbor seals are true seals, meaning their hind flippers stay pointed backward and cannot rotate underneath them. They move on land by wriggling like inchworms, but once in water they are agile swimmers. Their coats range from silvery gray to almost black, dappled with spots that help them blend with rippling waves. Large dark eyes peer above the surface like buttons whenever a seal checks for boats or predators.

Seals feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans. They use vibrissae—stiff whiskers—to detect pressure waves left by swimming prey, even in murky water. A typical dive lasts only a few minutes, yet seals can reach depths of 150 meters when necessary. After feeding, they haul out on rocks, kelp rafts, or sandy spits to rest and regulate body temperature. Dozens of seals often share a favorite haul-out, but they keep a whisker’s distance and rarely touch.

Pupping season occurs in late spring along many coasts. Females give birth on secluded beaches or gently sloping rocks, often at the same sites every year. Pups can swim within hours, bobbing in the surf while their mothers hunt nearby. Nursing lasts four to six weeks, during which the female burns stored fat to produce high-calorie milk. Once weaned, pups learn to hunt on their own, developing lean bodies built for long winters offshore.

Harbor seals face threats from entanglement in fishing gear, disturbance by boats, toxic algae, and habitat loss where seawalls replace natural beaches. Regulations require people to stay at least 100 yards away from resting seals, and wildlife agencies rescue stranded pups or animals injured by plastic bands. Clean-water programs that reduce runoff and protect eelgrass beds also benefit seals by supporting the fish they depend on.