You can spot a grey seal by its long, horse-shaped head and large, dark eyes that give it a soulful look. Unlike other seals, which often have shorter, rounder faces, grey seals have a more elongated snout that makes them look quite unique. Their coats also vary widely, with males usually having dark fur with light patches, while females are lighter with darker spots. Each seal has its own unique pattern, almost like a fingerprint, which researchers use to identify individuals.

One thing that really sets grey seals apart is their incredible ability to dive and hunt underwater. They can stay submerged for over 15 minutes and dive as deep as 457 meters (91,500 feet)! That’s deeper than most whales go during a casual dive. They use their sensitive whiskers to track fish in the dark waters, and their diet includes a variety of seafood like sand eels, cod, and even octopus. Unlike some other seals that migrate long distances, grey seals often stick to their home regions and are considered “site faithful”—meaning they return to the same beaches year after year to breed and rest. Their loyalty to their birthplaces is something you don’t see as often in other types of seals.

Grey seal pups are also a standout feature. When they’re born, they have a fluffy white coat that looks super cute and cuddly, even though it doesn’t help much in the water. These pups grow rapidly, gaining several pounds a day from their mothers’ rich milk, which has over 60% fat! In just three weeks, they’re ready to shed their white fur and start swimming. It’s also fun to know that grey seals can be quite vocal—they grunt, moan, and even bark. Some of their calls sound like something out of a science fiction movie.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Belgium

2016

Canada

2016

Denmark

2016

Estonia

2016

Faroe Islands

2016

Finland

2016

France

2016

Germany

2016

Greenland

2016

Seasonality Uncertain

Iceland

2016

Ireland

2016

Latvia

2016

Lithuania

2016

Netherlands

2016

Norway

2016

Poland

2016

Portugal

2016

Seasonality Uncertain

Russia

2016

Sweden

2016

United Kingdom

2016

United States

2016