MEET THE MARINE LIFE

Image credit: WIRESTOCK / FREEPIK.COM

THE COMMON SEAL

(Also known as 'Harbour/Harbor' Seals)

The smaller of our two UK seal species, despite being called "Common", they are actually less common than grey seals in the UK!

Image credit: SEAL RESEARCH TRUST

When not at sea, common seals are found around sheltered shores and estuaries, where they haul out on sandbanks and beaches.

When out of the water, they sometimes hold their body in a curved banana position, with their head and tail both in the air at the same time. Like grey seals, they feed on fish, but also eat squid, whelks, crabs and mussels.

Common seal pups are born during the summer and can swim when they are only a few hours old!

Image credit: VSEAL RESEARCH TRUST

DID YOU KNOW...?

Thanks to our friends PADSTOW SEALIFE SAFARIS, we discovered the following facts about seals:

SEALS ARE AMAZING DIVERS

Grey seals can dive down to 300 metres (over 1,000 feet).

SEALS EVOLVED FROM BEARS

Seals are said to have evolved from land based, bear or otter-like ancestors.

Image credit: SIMONE SCHOLTEN / UNSPLASH.COM

SEALS ARE PROTECTED IN THE UK

In the UK, seals are protected under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970.

Make a difference to the bigger picture of marine conservation and become a Partner or Sponsor with Dive Project Cornwall. Find out how you can GET INVOLVED.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT SEAL WATCHING

Seals in their natural habitat are beautiful to watch and photograph. But sadly, this is a critical issue for seals in Cornwall who have been disturbed as frequently as once every 7 minutes or routinely once every 14 minutes. Disturbance is always a waste of energy, sometime results in injury and can be fatal even months later. The Seal Alliance have produced a very useful leaflet to help guide the public's behaviour around all seals in the wild. We encourage you to download and read so we can all enjoy these beautiful creatures.