Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Phocidae Scientific Name : Halichoerus Grypus Size : 2 - 3.3m (72 - 129in) Weight : 150 - 300kg (330 - 660lbs) Top Speed : 10km/h (6mph) Life Span : 18 - 25 years Colour : Grey, Tan Skin Type : Smooth Special Features : Speckled body and shiny, white whiskers
- Grey seals are one of the rarest seal species in the world.
- Around 40% of the grey seal population is found around the United Kingdom.
- They have adapted very well to the marine life and are the United Kingdom’s biggest land breeding mammals.
- To keep them warm at sea, they have 2 layers of thick fur and thick blubber.
- Distinctively, they have a speckled body and shiny, white whiskers.
- Their hands and feet are formed into webbed flippers, with their powerful rear flipper propelling them through water.
- They use their tail to steer themselves, when in water.
- Their incredibly strong shoulders help them haul onto steep and slippery rocks.
- A well hydrated seal has bright eyes and tears and they get the required amount of hydration from their food.
- Grey seals are carnivores feeding on fish, squids and sand eels.
- Their natural predators are Humans, sharks and Killer Whales.
- The Grey seal pups are known to have a white coat for the first three weeks of their lives.
- Then they molt into adult grey seal fur.
- The grey seal pups feed on their mother’s milk (rich with 60% fat) for 15-21 days.
- They grow up very soon, and after weaning are left to fend for themselves.
- Unfortunately, 30-50% of the grey seal pups die within the first year.
- Interestingly, the grey seal mothers recognize their pups’ distinct call and smell.
- Grey seals are a species that is threatened from extinction.