Common Seal

Phoca vitulina

Common around the Irish, Norfolk & the Scottish Coast, but rare further south.

Rare in the West Country.

Also occur in the Atlantic Ocean in Europe from Portugal to Northern Scandinavia & Iceland.

Also known as Harbour Seals.

They vary in colour from brownish black to tan or grey; underparts are generally lighter.

The body and flippers are short, heads are rounded.

Nostrils appear distinctively V-shaped.

As with other true Seals, there is no pinna (ear flap).

An ear canal may be visible behind the eye.

Including the head and flippers, they may reach an Adult length of 1.85 m (6.1 ft) and a weight of 55 to 168 kg (120 to 370 lb).

Females are generally smaller than Males.