Seals Miles and Clay

Organism Phylum- Chordata Class- Mammalia Order- Pinnipedia Kingdom- Animalia Common Name- Seal

Key Characteristics Common Seals are the most widespread of all pinnipeds. They have a body length between 4.5 - 6.25 feet and they weigh between 120 - 370 lbs. They vary in color from dark grey to tan brown with small rings and blotches on their body that are different with each individual. They have short flippers and they don’t have an outside ear flap. Their eyes are large and set back, and they have close set nostrils that form a "V" shape.

Marine Adaptations Common seals swim with all four flippers they move their back flippers from side to side to propel themselves forward and use their front flippers to help them steer. Common seals can swim forward and upside-down. They rarely swim backward. Common seals can swim almost 15 mph but normally go at a slower rate unless being attacked. Common seals can dive down almost 700 feet but don’t normally do this due to their food being in shallow waters.

Habitat Needs Common seals live in the North Atlantic and North Pacific, they rest on rocky shores, sandy beaches and mud flats. Seals don’t travel further than 12 miles from the shore and are know to swim up stream of large rivers when in pursuit of prey. Seals feed off of mostly herring, cod, and sea bass. Seals do not migrate but will travel in search for food and they are normally found in shallow waters.

Physiology and Reproduction Common Seals Reproduce Sexually Most male common seals become sexually mature when they reach a weight of about 165 lbs, at three to seven years old. Most females become mature when they reach about 110 lbs, at three to six years. Mating season changes among the species but generally occurs in late spring through fall when females come into heat or season usually about six weeks after their pups are born. Females remain in heat or season for one to nine weeks. Common seals usually return to the same breeding grounds each year.

Interesting Facts The population of the common seal is 400,000-500,000 The common seal is also known as the Harbor Seal Seals give birth on land Oil spills are thought to cause breathing problems in seals, as well as damage to ears, nose and throat. Seals are wild animals and if approached they will bite you.

Pictures

Sources http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/harbor-seal/behavior.htm http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/seals_sea_lions/common_seal.html http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/naturallyscottish/seals/facts.asp