Harbor Seal
From the icy waters of Greenland to the rocky coasts of Japan, the Harbor Seal is a true survivor. Navigating waters patrolled by orcas and polar bears, these cute pinnipeds rely on stealth, speed, and incredible breath-holding capabilities to thrive and survive. As you scan the horizon during your voyage, look for the glint of a wet, speckled coat resting on the rocks. A momentary pause in the busy life of one of the Arctic’s most resilient hunter.
Harbor Seal At a Glance
| Scientific Name | Phoca vitulina |
| Population | There are approximately 600,000 in the world. |
| Regions | They primarily live in the Arctic coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere. |
| Destinations | Jan Mayen, Canada, Iceland, Svalbard, Greenland, and Scotland |
| Average Length | Adult males can reach about 6 ft Females are 12-18 in. shorter. |
| Average Weight | Males are between 150-300 lbs. Females may weigh 100 lbs. less. |
| Diet Habits | Their diet consists of polar cod, capelin, sand lance, and shrimp |
Did You Know
Harbor seals in the Arctic have a distinctive V-shaped nostril. This makes them easier to spot during zodiac cruises.
Field Notes: Behavior & Biology
What does a harbor seal look like?
Harbor seals have a rounded, streamlined body with a short tail. They feature large, dark eyes, a small, rounded head, and lack external ear flaps, accompanied by short neck snouts. Seals can be found in various fur colors; however, the ones most commonly observed in the wild are silver, light tan, and blue-grey with dark speckles or spots, along with dark fur featuring lighter ring-like markings.
Where does the harbor seal live?
Harbor seal habitats are typically located along the coast, on rocky ledges, sandy shores, estuaries, and intertidal zones in the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans. Key locations include Jan Mayen, Iceland, Canada, Svalbard, Greenland, Denmark, France, Norway, England, and Scotland.
How long can a harbor seal stay under water?
As semi-aquatic mammals, harbor seals can hold their breath for as long as 30 minutes in the ocean’s top 100 meters (328 feet). However, their typical dives last about 3 to 10 minutes while they forage for food.
What is the difference between a sea lion and a harbor seal?
The key differences between a harbor seal vs a sea lion include the following:
- Ears: Harbor seals lack visible ear flaps, unlike sea lions.
- Harbor seals crawl on their bellies; sea lions walk using rotating hind flippers.
- Vocalization: Sea lions bark more; harbor seals are quieter.
When do the pups learn to swim?
Harbor seal pups usually swim within minutes or at the most hours of being born.
Do they have any predators?
Yes. Predators of the harbor seal include orcas, sharks, and polar bears, which make coastal waters their safest hiding places.
Can they sleep underwater?
Harbor seals, like elephant seals or harp seals, can sleep underwater. They surface for air approximately every 30 minutes although they may not be fully awake. Sometimes, only their nose breaks the surface.
Why do they do "banana poses"?
While you might think they do this just for us, there is another good reason. By arching their body by lifting the tail and head upwards, they conserve heat for sensitive areas.
Challenge: Are you a Harbor Seal Master?
What do you call a Harbor Seal?
| English | Harbor Seal |
| Danish | Spættet sæl |
| Chinese | 斑海豹 (Bān hǎibào) |
| Swedish | Knubbsäl |
| Finnish | Kirjohylje |
| Norwegian | Steinkobbe |
| Polish | Foka pospolita |
| Japanese | ゼニガタアザラシ (Zenigataazarashi) |
| Spanish | Foca común |
| French | Phoque commun |
Want to see harbor seals in the wild?
Reach out to our team to learn more about our voyages any time!