COMMON SEAL

Phoca vitulina

  • Common name:
    COMMON SEAL

    Scientific name:
    Phoca vitulina

    Class:
    Mammals

    Order:
    Carnivora

    Family:
    Phocidae

    Provenance:
    Coast of Atlantic and Northern Pacific Oceans

    Diet:
    fish – invertebrates

    Habitat:
    Along the coast

    Reproduction:
    Gestation lasts about 10-11 months

  • The Common Seal is a carnivore of the Phocidae family.
    The male can reach a length of 2m and a weight of 150 kg, the female is smaller. Its fur is brown-gray with black-gray spots. At birth, the pups are covered by a whitish soft fur.
    The common seal has an elongated body covered by thick, short fur impermeable to water. The ear canal is visible but without an ear flap. Hearing is well developed. The eyes are big and dark in color. For better aerodynamics these seals have retractable nipples and interior testicles and penus. They have feelers on the face. The limbs are transformed into fins.
    They pass most of their daytime resting and laying in the sun. Mating is promiscuous and usually takes place in the water. Gestation lasts 11 months. A single pup is born that is nursed by the mother outside of water.
    This seal can swim 200mt deep and stay submerged for more than 20 minutes.
    This species is fiercely hunted for its fat and fur.
    It can live up to 30 years.