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Harbour (or common) seal

Phoca vitulina

Weight: male 85kg, female 75 kg

Length: male: 145cm, female: 135cm

Lifespan: 25-30 years

Diet: squid, crustaceans, molluscs and a variety of fish such as herring, hake and salmon

Distribution: islands, rocky shores and cliffs on northern Atlantic coasts

You may not know:

  • Harbour seals' whiskers are so sensitive they can sense a fish over 35m away. Their whiskers can also determine the size and shape of a fish using vibrations from the water
  • The UK supports nearly half of the overall European harbour seal population, and 5% of the global population. They are particularly common around western Scotland and the northern UK islands.
  • Harbour seals can dive to depths of 90 metres and remain underwater holding their breath for up to 28 minutes.