Grey Seal
Halichoerus grypus
Least ConcernFast Facts
About
The grey seal is one of the larger seals of the North Atlantic and a familiar sight around the rocky coasts and islands of Britain, which holds a significant proportion of the world's population. The species is distinguished by its long, 'Roman-nosed' muzzle, especially pronounced in the bulls.
Equally at home hauled out on rocks or powering through coastal waters, it is a superb diver capable of reaching considerable depths in search of fish.
Behaviour
Grey seals gather in large, noisy colonies to breed in autumn and winter, the bulls competing for stretches of beach and the females giving birth to a single white-coated pup. The pups moult their fluffy white fur before taking to the sea.
Outside the breeding season they spend long periods at sea, often diving repeatedly to hunt along the seabed.
Did you know?
- Britain is home to around a third of the world's grey seals
- Newborn pups wear a fluffy white coat and cannot swim until they moult it
- Grey seals can dive to depths of several hundred metres in search of fish
- Each seal's head and body markings are unique, like a fingerprint
Distribution
Coasts of the North Atlantic, with important colonies around Britain
