Harbor seal

What to look for

Harbor seals have a short, dog-like snout, short front flippers and no external ear flaps. Their coats can have dark spots on a pale background or pale rings on a darker background.

What it eats

They take fish, shellfish and crustaceans, with shallow or deeper foraging depending on the available prey.

Life and behavior

On land they move by undulating their bodies rather than walking on their rear flippers like sea lions. Resting ashore is normal behavior; their seasonal molt can also increase time out of the water.

Field context

Temperate Northern Hemisphere coastal habitats; molts in mid to late summer and spends more time hauled out during molt.

Observing responsibly

Beach/tidepool refers to shore observation. Avoid approaching seals on land or separating a mother and pup.

When to look

The available records do not establish a reliable local viewing season. Use the map’s month filter to inspect dated observations; it does not predict an encounter.

Learn more about this species

• Seal or Sea Lion? Look at the Ears, Then the Flippers