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Harbor Seals
Phoca vitulina
43.1192, -124.414
Field Notes
Description:
Also known as the common seal, the harbor seal is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. They are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as those of the Baltic and North Seas, making them the most widely distributed of the pinnipeds (walruses, eared seals, and true seals).
Their coloration varies from brown, tan, or gray, with distinctive V-shaped nostrils. An adult can attain a length of 1.85 meters (6.1 ft) and a mass of 132 kilograms (290 lb). Females outlive males (30–35 years versus 20–25 years).
Habitat:
Common seals stick to familiar resting spots or haulout sites, generally rocky areas (although ice, sand and mud may also be used) where they are protected from adverse weather conditions and predation, near a foraging area. Pups are able to swim and dive within hours of birth, and they develop quickly on their mothers' fat-rich milk. A fatty tissue layer called blubber is present under their skins and helps to maintain body temperature.
Notes:
We had been walking across the mudflats and came to a salt marsh area that lead up to a berm along the shore of the Coquille River. As we came up over the berm onto the beach, we observed a large group of Harbor Seals resting on the shore. They didn't stay long but I was able to capture a few photos.
Because they typically rest on rocky shores, I found the track marks they left in the sand to be of interest.
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