Page 86 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Spotters’ guide GREY SEAL
Halichoerus grypus
Class Mammalia
Grey seals Territory North Atlantic Ocean

Diet Carnivore
Lifespan 25-35 years
Adult weight 220kg / 485lbs
Conservation Status
Discover where you might get a chance

to find these incredible seal species LEAST CONCERN

The charismatic creature is one of the disturbance to marine wildlife. You can
rarest seal species in the world, but it’s also help avoid causing a disturbance by
easy to catch a glimpse when you know wearing low-visibility clothing because,
where to look. You’ll most likely fi nd them although seals see in black-and-white,
on rocky islands and coasts around the any bright colours will stand out. It’s also
UK, since Britain plays host to half the sensible to wear waterproofs and wrap up
world’s grey seal population. Some of the warm, since coastal winds can cause a
best seal-watching spots are Blakeney in chill. Fortunately for seals, they have a
Norfolk, the Orkney Islands and Cornwall. thick layer of blubber and waterproof
The latter offers boat trips in Newquay fur that keeps them insulated.
Harbour, as well as being home to the You’ll find them in the United

Cornish Seal Sanctuary where you can see States too, near Cape Cod,
rescued seals that have been brought in Massachusetts, or even
for emergency treatment. New York and New Jersey.
The chances are that you will be able However, these waters are
to see these underwater horses all year also home to the grey seals’
round, as they have plenty of excuses natural predator, the great
to come ashore (known as hauling-out). white shark, so if you’re
Grey seals will leave the water to mate seal-spotting stateside
during their annual moult in the spring, to you might see more
bear pups in the autumn, or even just to than you bargained
digest their food. Some of the best sites for. They can also be
require boat access, so you should always found across North
seek a Wildlife Safe (WiSe) operator, America’s east coast,
who will have been trained in minimising and Europe.

Get out and see them
Find a seal-spotting trip
Phoenix Boat Trips
www.phoenix-boat-trips.co.uk
07703 168097
Operating in Moray Firth, Scotland,

this trip offers views of a seal colony
near Ardersier.
Monomoy Island Ferry
www.monomoyislandferry.com
508-237-0420
Operating from Chatham,

Massachusetts, USA, this trip offers
tours around the Monomoy Islands.
Blakeney Point Seal Trips
www.blakeneypointsealtrips.co.uk
01263 740 792
A voyage through the historic seaport
of Blakeney Harbour on the North
Norfolk Coast.
Sea.fari
www.seafari.co.uk
0131 331 4857
Hop on board the 55-passenger
catamaran into North Berwick in
Scotland. Pre-booking is essential.
Sealife
www.seawildlife.co.uk
01445 781729
Set sail on this glass-bottom boat trip
that promises daily sightings of the
common and grey seals.

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