OuiSi Nature · Card 125
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
- Location
- San Benito Islands, Mexico
- Date
- May 21, 2012
Photograph byOctavio AburtoDescription
Harbor seals have short, dog-like snouts. The color of each seal’s fur varies but there are two basic patterns: light tan, silver, or blue-gray with dark speckling or spots, and a dark background with light rings. Harbor seals molt (shed hair) in the mid to late summer for 1-2 months, spending more time out of the water. The harbor seal’s diet consists mainly of fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Harbor seals complete both shallow and deep dives while hunting, depending on the availability of prey. They can sleep underwater and come up for air once every 30 minutes.
The photographer
Octavio Aburto
Professional photographer associated at the iLCP and a Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Learn more about Octavio AburtoExplore more with OuiSi Nature
-

Shellfish Seashell
Inaê Guion -

Hyacinth Macaw
Tania Escobar -

Ant Living in a Fanged Pitcher Plant
Christian Ziegler -

Black-necked Stilt
Melissa Groo -

Ilimanaq Greenland
(Autumn)
Camille Seaman -

Chimanimani Mountains
Jen Guyton