Phoca vitulina, commonly known as the harbor seal, is a marine mammal found in coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere and is one of the most widely distributed seal species. Harbor seals are important indicators of ocean health and serve as a food source for larger predators, making them significant to marine ecosystems.
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common seal
SPECIES
Maximum longevity: 47.6 years (captivity) Observations: In the wild, these animals are believed to live up to 40 years (Bernhard Grzimek 1990). One wild born specimen was about 47.6 years of age when it died in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005).
via GBIF · IUCN
The harbor (or harbour) seal (Phoca vitulina), also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed species of pinniped (walruses, eared seals, and true seals), they are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Baltic and North seas.
Harbour seals are brown, silvery white, tan, or grey, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of 1.85 m (6.1 ft) and weigh up to 168 kg (370 lb). Blubber under the seal's skin helps to maintain body temperature. Females outlive males (30–35 years versus 20–25 years). Harbor seals stick to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas (although ice, sand, and mud may also be used) where they are protected from adverse weather conditions and predation, near a foraging area. Males may fight over mates under water and on land. Females bear a single pup after a nine-month gestation, which they care for alone. Pups can weigh up to 16 kg (35 lb) and are able to swim and dive within hours of birth. They develop quickly on their mothers' fat-rich milk, and are weaned after four to six weeks.
via Wikidata · CC0
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