Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Widely distributed along the coasts of North America. This species is brown, silvery white or grey with distinctive V-shaped nostril. Eats mostly fish along the cost and upstream in large rivers.
Common Names
| 🇨🇦 | Harbor Seal |
| 🇫🇷 | Phoque commun |
| 🇩🇪 | Seehund |
| 🇲🇽 | Foca común |
Taxonomy
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Phocidae |
Characteristics
| Length | 1.5-2.5m |
| Weight | 50-140kg |
Explore More
🎧 Apple Podcast: About this species' biology, behavior and ecological importance.
Best Locations and Seasons for Sightings
The only time I was able to watch this species was in May in Tadoussac from a boat. They were resting on the rocky shore of Saguenay River.
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc national du Bic | x | - | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from my park visit journals.
Identification and Similar Species
The V-shape nostril is the clear distinctive feature of this species.
All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz
Last updated: 2024-12-19