Phoca vitulina (Harbour Seal)
Common or Harbour seals prefer sheltered waters and are faithful to a more restricted range routinely travelling 40-50Km from their haul out site to forage for food. The harbour seal strongholds are Shetland, Orkney, the east coast of the Outer Hebrides, most of the Inner Hebrides and the west coast of Scotland, the Moray Firth and the Firth of Tay.
Additional Information
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust
Convention on Migratory Species, Appendix 2
Bern Convention Appendix 2 & 3
EU Habitats Directive Annex 2 & 5
Scottish Biodiversity List of species of principal importance for biodiversity conservation
Common or harbour seals have a rounded head with eyes equidistant between the nose and the ears. The nostril slits form a characteristic 'v' shape when viewed from the front. Adult common seals grow up to 1.2 to 2 metres long, and weigh around 65-140 kg. The coat is grey to brownish-grey with a uniform pattern of small darker spots, although the pattern varies geographically.
Identifying features
Lacking external ear flaps.
Colouration variable but generally coat is grey or brownish grey with small spots.
Head rounded with nostrils forming 'v' shape when animal viewed head on.
Eyes equidistant between ear and nose.
3 front teeth, one eye tooth and 5 cheek teeth in each half of upper jaw.
2 front teeth, one eye tooth and 5 cheek teeth in each half of lower jaw.
May be confused with the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) that has a much longer muzzle and their nostril slits are nearly parallel.
