The Common Seal or Harbour Seal as it's sometimes to referred to, varies in colour from black, brown, grey or tan, with darker patches. The pattern is unique to the individual. They have a relatively large head with a short body and flippers.

The common seal is the most widely distributed pinniped, and there are thought to be between 400,000 - 500,000 individuals. They inhabit the waters of the north Atlantic and north Pacific Oceans.

They are opportunistic feeders and hunt fish, molluscs and crustaceans. They make short regular dives, usually to less than 100m. Common seals haul out on to rocky shores, mud flats and sandy beaches. They may also inhabit fresh water. They do not tend to travel more than 20km from the shore.

Common seals are gregarious, although they do not tend to gather in as large groups as are typical of other pinnipeds. Killer whales, polar bears and Steller sea lions will hunt common seals, and pups may fall victim to foxes and large birds of prey. Scientists have shown that seals have highly sensitive whiskers that are able to detect miniscule vibrations as fish swim by, allowing the seal to catch food in dark or murky waters. This may be how common seals can detect a herring from a distance of 180m, even if they can't see it!

Courtship and mating take place underwater and females give birth to a single pup. The pup is born in an advanced state of development, and can crawl and swim within a few hours of birth. The mother will mate again immediately after weaning.

Common seals are not endangered, although their habit of staying in the same area for the majority of the year has meant that some local populations have disappeared.

Male common seals have a shorter life span than females, living 20-25 years as opposed to females that live from 30-35 years. This is probably due to the stresses endured by males during the breeding season...