All About Seals

Notes For YouTube Video

Grey Seal - Blakeney Point

In The UK There Are Two Main Types Of Seal: The Common Or Harbour Seal And The Grey Seal

These Are The Only Types Of Seal That Breed In British Waters

We Do Rarely Have Other Visitors (There Are 33 Species Of Seal Worldwide)

There Have Been Bearded, Ringed, Harp & Hooded Seals & Walruses Recorded

There Are Between 48,000-56,000 Common Seals Around The UK

40% Of The European Population Of Common Seals Live Around The British Coast

This Represents 5% Of The World Population

In 1988-9 17,000 Common Seals (1,700 In Britain) Died In Europe From Distemper

The Grey Seal Population In The UK Is About 182,000 And Is Estimated To Be Increasing By 7% A Year And Represents About 36% Of The World’s Population

Neither The Common Or Grey Seals Are An Endangered Species

Both Species Often Live Longer Than 30 Years But Grey Seals Have Been Known To Live For 46 Years

Seals Can Be Seen At Any Time Of The Year

They Return To Land To Have Their Pups

(Common Seals – June To August Grey Seals - September To December)

And To Moult

(Common Seals – August To September Grey Seals – February To April)

The Collective Noun For Seals Is A Herd, Harem, Pod, Rookery Or Spring

Their Breeding Grounds Are Called Rookeries

Common Seals Have A Smaller Dog Like Head And Its Nostrils Form A V-Shape

And Is Up To 1.7 Metres Long

The Grey Seal Have A Larger Head With A Roman Nose And Its Nostrils Are Parallel

And Is Up To 2.5 Metres Long

Colour Is Not A Good Guide To Identification

  

Both Types Of Seal Suckle Their Young For About 3-4 Weeks

Common Seal Pups Can Enter The Water Immediately After Birth And Are Sometimes Born At Sea

Grey Seals Only Enter The Water After They’ve Finished Suckling And Can Drown Before This

During Their Suckling Both Types Of Seal Double More Their Weight And Are Then Abandoned

Mating Takes Place Shortly After Giving Birth

Although Seals Look Cute & Cuddly (Especially The Pups)

They Are Wild Animals And They Can And Will Bite And Can Carry Nasty Viruses

Grey Seals Have Been Observed Off The Coast Of The Netherlands

Attacking, Killing And Eating Harbour Porpoises

Where Is The Best Place To See Seals

90% Of UK’s Seals Can Be Found Around Scottish Coasts

Seals Can Be Seen Anywhere Around The UK Coastline But There Are Some Concentrations

Blakeney Norfolk - Both Types Of Seal Can Be Seen Here All Year Round

Orkney Islands – Both Types Of Seal Can Be Seen Here

Cornwall – Both Types Of Seal Can Be Seen Here All Year Round

Skomer Pembrokeshire & West Wales – Especially Good For Grey Seals

Moray Firth – Especially Good For Common Seals

Donna Nook Lincolnshire – 3,000 Grey Seals Come Ashore Between September – December

Farne Islands Northumberland – Large Grey Seal Colony

Answers to Quiz with the next entry. Keep your eyes peeled and good spotting.