Back to Mammals                                 

Harbor Seal
Scientific Name: Phoca vitulina

Reaching lengths of 5.5-6.5ft and weights of 375lbs, harbor seals are found north of the equator in both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Usually sporting silvery-gray to dark brown coats, harbor seals are often spotted or speckled. They prefer coastal waters and are generally seen resting on sandy beaches, mudflats and rock outcroppings.

Both California sea lions and harbor seals belong to the order, "Pinnipedia," which is Latin for "winged foot." But unlike sea lions-whose use their oversized front flippers to propel themselves through the water-harbor seals swim by thrusting with their hind flippers. Also lacking the ability to walk on all fours on land, harbor seals instead must inch along the shore by flopping on their bellies in a "caterpillar-like" motion.

Fun Facts:
  • Generally solitary by nature, harbor seals are the least vocal of all pinnipeds and are often seen swimming and hunting on their own.
  • Baby harbor seals can swim just hours after birth, and they are sometimes seen riding on their mothers' backs when they are tired.
  • These animals can dive to depths of 295ft and can stay submerged for up to 28 minutes at a time.
  • Because they spend so much of their lives in the water, harbor seals have adapted to sleep at the water's surface-floating with every part of their bodies submerged except for the tips of their noses. This behavior is called "bottling."
Back to Mammals