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| Common seal | Phoca vitulina |
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Track
of the common seal (not to scale)
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TRACKS & SIGNS: The tracks
of the common seal are very distinctive. The two front feet, or flippers, have
five toes with well-developed claws and cannot be confused with any other Irish
mammal, except the grey seal, whose tracks are generally larger. The drag marks
of the body will often show between the tracks. Defecation usually takes place
in the water and the only sign likely to be found is moulted fur (July-September).
Resting takes place on any suitable area of the coast, such as sandy beaches
close to deep water.
© 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