Halichoerus grypus (Grey Seal)
The breeding colonies in the Hebrides are the largest in the UK. The grey seal population of the British Isles represents about 38% of the world population, of which about 90% breed in Scotland. The sites on the Treshnish Isles (to the west of Mull) and on the Monach Islands to the west of the Uists in the Outer Hebrides are of particular importance.
Additional Information
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Protected in UK waters, principally by the Conservation of Seals Act (1970), Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), and the EU Habitats and Species Directive (1992).
Convention on Migratory Species, Appendix 2
Bern Convention Appendix 3
The grey seal is a medium sized, robust bodied, seal with a rectangular horse-like head and small widely separated eyes. The nostrils form a W-pattern due to them being parallel and wide apart. They have a long muzzle, wide at the end, with a fleshy area around the whiskers that obscures the lower jaw. In adult males the top of the muzzle is convex, whereas in adult females and pups it is flat. Adults can grow up to 2.3 m long, with newborn pups being about 1 m long. Adult males are much bigger and heavier than females, have a bigger broader head and are also darker in colour. The coat is dark grey on the back and light grey underneath and has irregular pattern of spots or blotches.
Identifying features
Rectangular horse-like head.
Widely separated nostrils, almost parallel forming W-pattern.
Short and wide foreflippers.
Small eyes relative to head size.
Long distinctive muzzle, wide at the end.
Top of muzzle is convex in adult males.