Friday, August 5, 2022

Harbor Seal (Searsport, Maine)

Phoca vitulina

Last night we had dinner down at the shore with friends. We were treated to the sight of a Harbor Seal bouncing around in the waves right in front of us. I always love to watch them.

Harbor Seals are one of the most common marine mammals along the U.S. coasts. They are often seen when they are hauled out on rocks or the beach, which they do to rest and to regulate their body temperatures. While hunting, they can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes!

They are a true seal, with short fore limbs. They cannot move their hind flippers forward (their pelvis bones are fused) so they move with an awkward motion while on land. They are very agile in the water where they hunt fish, shellfish, and crustaceans.

The pups are about 24 pounds at birth and can swim as soon as they are born. Adults can reach weights of up to 285 pounds and lengths of 5 to 6 feet. Males are slightly larger than the females.