| Common
seal |
Phoca
vitulina |
HABITAT
& DIET: The common seal can be found on sandbanks, estuaries and in shallow
sheltered waters. They are very gregarious on land but appear to be quite solitary
in the water. Haul-out sites are close to areas of deep water for a quick escape.
Common seals feed predominantly on fish. Sandeels, herring, whiting and flatfish
are all taken. Young seals may eat large amounts of shrimps.
© Jon Russ 2001. Text refereed
by Judith Montgomery-Watson.
Use of the panda device courtesy of WWF-UK © 1986 WWF, ® Registered trademark owner. Reg charity 1081247
HABITAT
& DIET: The common seal can be found on sandbanks, estuaries and in shallow
sheltered waters. They are very gregarious on land but appear to be quite solitary
in the water. Haul-out sites are close to areas of deep water for a quick escape.
Common seals feed predominantly on fish. Sandeels, herring, whiting and flatfish
are all taken. Young seals may eat large amounts of shrimps.