Seal of Approval
This Common (Harbour) Seal was just sliding down the sea-weed as we passed in the Zodiac and the angle of view makes it look like she's smiling. It occurs round the coasts of much of the Northern Hemisphere and is the most widely distributed species of pinniped (seals, sea lions, walruses). There are many subspecies but the one found in Britain is the nominate subspecies; vitulinus. They often haul out on rocks at low tide so they can have the cushion of sea-weed to lie on, so they are less likely to damage themselves if they have to make a dash for the water. At high tide the rocks are bare, uncomfortable and dangerous for loafing seals. Most baby seals are white and fluffy but Common Seals moult while they are in utero so have adult-type fur by the time they are born in June and July. Its scientific name Phoca vitulinus, given by Linnaeus translates as "seal like a calf" perhaps because Linnaeus thought the Common Seal had a more calf-like face than Grey Seal.
Seal of Approval
This Common (Harbour) Seal was just sliding down the sea-weed as we passed in the Zodiac and the angle of view makes it look like she's smiling. It occurs round the coasts of much of the Northern Hemisphere and is the most widely distributed species of pinniped (seals, sea lions, walruses). There are many subspecies but the one found in Britain is the nominate subspecies; vitulinus. They often haul out on rocks at low tide so they can have the cushion of sea-weed to lie on, so they are less likely to damage themselves if they have to make a dash for the water. At high tide the rocks are bare, uncomfortable and dangerous for loafing seals. Most baby seals are white and fluffy but Common Seals moult while they are in utero so have adult-type fur by the time they are born in June and July. Its scientific name Phoca vitulinus, given by Linnaeus translates as "seal like a calf" perhaps because Linnaeus thought the Common Seal had a more calf-like face than Grey Seal.