Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

True Seal Family (Phocidae)
Harbor Seal is a light tan to brown to gray to silver (to sometime ruddy-colored) marine mammal, reaching 6 ft long and 370 lbs. Each individual has a unique pattern of spots. It molts its thick fur annually. It has a large rounded head, no ear flaps, V-shaped nostrils, and small flippers. It moves on land by flopping its belly forward. Females are usually slightly smaller than males. Females give birth once per year after a 9-12 month gestation to one pup. Breeding season is usually in the spring to fall, depending the region. Within hours of birth, the pup can swim and dive. The pup weans in about 4 weeks. Life span can be 20-35 years in the wild with females living 1onger. Food consists mainly of various fish and sometimes on squid, shrimp, crabs, mollusks, and occasionally seabirds. Can dive up to 1600 ft deep. Found along temperate and arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. Gregarious at haulout and breeding sites, but usually solitary otherwise. Spends about half of the time on land and the other half in the water. Frequently found resting in the same haulout sites which are usually in rocky areas, mudflats, or sandy beaches, but may spend days at sea. May be found in harbors and estuaries and swim upstream into freshwater for some distance in large rivers. It is hunted for its skin, oil, and meat. Also known as common seal and Pacific harbor seal. Has 5 subspecies.

Listed as endangered in CAN & species of concern in SC & WA.