With their enormous chocolate brown eyes and whimsical whiskers, harbor seals have inspired artists and storytellers alike. Legends of “Silkies” or “Selchies,” seals that came ashore, shed their skins, and became beautiful humans abound throughout Europe. As the Orcadian story goes, “When angels fall, some come to the sea, and others to land. The former are the seals, the latter, the faeries.” Mystical or not, these incredible marine mammals are fascinating to watch and fun to dive with.
Harbor Seal Facts
So prolific that they are also known as common seals, harbor seals are found throughout the northern hemisphere, inhabiting coastal waterways throughout the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as the North and Baltic Seas. Of all pinnipeds, including eared seals, walruses, and other true seals, they are the most widely distributed and the least threatened. The global population is estimated at five to six million individuals.
Brown, grey, or tan in color, often with distinctive spotted patterns on their chests, adult harbor seals average approximately five to six feet in length and some of the largest males can weigh over three hundred pounds. With V-shaped nostrils that seal up during dives, these seals have no ear flaps, although their ear canals can sometimes be seen just behind the outer corners of the eyes. As with other pinnipeds, females tend to be smaller and leaner than males. Equipped with sturdy front flippers that are small in relation to their bodies, and strong rear flippers with a small tail between, these seals can often be seen hauled out on beaches, rock formations, and fishing docks; in some places, they have taken over completely and prove to be quite an attraction.
Preferring to remain in the same territory for years, harbor seals are not aggressive, although they can deliver a painful crushing bite if harassed. They tend to be very curious about divers, and will often come right up and put on an acrobatic display; most often, the younger seals are the most active, with large males being the most wary of humans.
Harbor seals do not form bonded pairs; however, the strongest males tend to mate with the highest number of females. Females normally give birth to just one pup at a time, which they rear on their own, with no help from the male other than that of territorial protection. Seal pups weigh between 18 and 30 pounds at birth, and are capable of swimming and diving within a few hours of delivery. Often lighter colored than adults and sometimes almost white, they are sometimes left behind on beaches while mothers dive; if you find one, watch from a distance and don’t touch! If a mother seal smells the scent of a human on her pup, she may abandon it.
When diving with harbor seals, let the animal make the rules about the encounter. Never touch the seals or try to hitch a ride; you’re just asking to be bitten. In most places, touching or harassing harbor seals is against the law. Sit back and watch the show; the more you watch these fascinating creatures, the more you’ll learn about them, and the greater your appreciation for them will be.