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Marine Life · Pinnipeds
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
Least Concern
The harbor seal is the most widely distributed true seal, found along coastlines throughout the Northern Hemisphere. A "true seal," it lacks external ears and moves on land by wriggling on its belly, spending most of its life foraging in coastal and estuarine waters before hauling out on rocks, sandbars and ice to rest.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Phocidae (true seals)
Genus: Phoca
Species: vitulina
Related species: Gray seal, harp seal, elephant seal, sea lions — order Pinnipedia
Size
4.5–6 ft nose to tail.
Weight
150–370 lbs, with males slightly larger than females.
Habitat
Coastal and estuarine waters, rocky shores, sandbars and ice floes across the temperate and Arctic Northern Hemisphere.
Description
A spotted grey, brown or silver coat, rounded head, large dark eyes, and no external ear flaps.
Diet
Carnivore — fish, squid and crustaceans, typically caught in dives under 100 feet.
Movement
Graceful and fast in water; on land, moves clumsily by wriggling on its belly since its hind flippers can't rotate forward.
Diving ability
Can dive to depths over 500 feet and hold its breath for up to 30 minutes.
Social structure
Mostly solitary at sea, but hauls out in loose groups on shore; largely silent compared to sea lions.
Gestation
About 9 months, including delayed implantation.
Birth & Pup
A single pup, able to swim within hours of birth and nursed for just 4–6 weeks.
Sexually Mature
3–5 years for females, 3–6 years for males.
Life Span
25–30 years in the wild.
Did You Know?
Harbor seal pups can swim and dive within hours of being born, often before they can walk well on land.
Did You Know?
Unlike sea lions, true seals like the harbor seal have no external ear flaps — just small holes on the sides of their heads.
Did You Know?
Some harbor seals can dive to depths of over 500 feet and stay underwater for nearly 30 minutes at a time.
Seals vs. Sea Lions
True Seals (Phocidae)
No ear flaps; wriggle on land
No ear flaps; wriggle on land
Eared Seals (Otariidae)
Sea lions & fur seals; walk on flippers
Sea lions & fur seals; walk on flippers
Elephant Seal
Mirounga spp. — largest pinniped
Mirounga spp. — largest pinniped
Harp Seal
Pagophilus groenlandicus — Arctic ice breeder
Pagophilus groenlandicus — Arctic ice breeder
Seal in Foreign Languages
Frenchphoque
GermanSeehund
Italianfoca
Portuguesefoca
Spanishfoca
Russiantyulen
Polishfoka
Japaneseazarashi
Mandarinhǎibào
Koreanbaemulbeom
Dutchzeehond
Swedishsäl
Norwegiansel
Finnishhylje
