OuiSi Nature card 125: Harbor Seal. Photograph by Octavio Aburto The whole photograph behind card 125: Harbor Seal. Photograph by Octavio Aburto

OuiSi Nature · Card 125

Harbor Seal

Phoca vitulina

Location
San Benito Islands, Mexico
Date
May 21, 2012
Photograph byOctavio Aburto

Description

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.

Octavio Aburto

The photographer

Octavio Aburto

Professional photographer associated at the iLCP and a Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

Learn more about Octavio Aburto

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OuiSi Nature card 125: Harbor Seal. Photograph by Octavio Aburto The whole photograph behind card 125: Harbor Seal. Photograph by Octavio Aburto

Harbor Seal

Photograph by Octavio Aburto