Where do Harbour seals migrate to?
Although some of the largest harbor seal pupping areas are found in California, they are also found north along the Pacific Coast in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Large populations move with the season south along the west coast of Canada and may winter on the islands in Washington and Oregon.
What time of year do seals migrate?
The first migration takes place when the winter breeding season is over, the second after the summer moult. Overall the bulls spend about 250 days at sea each year and travel at least 21,000km, the females spending about 300 days at sea and travelling at least 18,000km.
What do harbor seals do in winter?
Harbor seals haul out of the water periodically to rest, give birth, and nurse their pups. In winter seals spend up to 80% of their time in the water. In spring and summer they spend more time hauled out during pupping and molt season.
Where do Maine harbor seals go in the winter?
Seals prefer rocky, secluded islands and beaches, but will often haul themselves up on piers in harbors and coves such as Apponagansett Bay, New Bedford Harbor, and Nasketucket Bay.
Do seals migrate or hibernate?
Animals Active Year-Round Some animals neither hibernate nor migrate but remain active throughout the year. These animals have physical adaptations to keep them warm despite the frigid Arctic winters. Layers of blubber insulate and help marine mammals like seals and walruses conserve their body heat.
Can harbor seals live in freshwater?
1. Harbor seals can be found in freshwater rivers and lakes, as well as marine waters.
Do harbor seals migrate in winter?
Harbor seals require open ocean in order to feed, and undisturbed beaches, Harbor seals migrate annually from cold Arctic waters to warmer shores of the Northern hemisphere in order Page 3 to breed.
What are harbor seals predators?
White sharks are the primary marine predator of harbor seals, but occasionally other large sharks and killer whales eat them. Terrestrial predators such as coyotes and bobcats can also occasionally prey on harbor seals resting onshore, particularly pups that are very young.
How fast can a harbor seal move on land?
Seals are the acrobats of the sea, but they are very clumsy on land. A seal easily races through the water at 35 kilometers per hour, while it is lucky to cover 2 kilometers per hour on land. With its cute, round eyes, seals see very well under water. However, they would need eyeglasses to see sharply above water.
Where do seals sleep at night?
Seals sleep in the water as well as on land. In the water, they sleep floating in a standing position, like a fishing bobber, or floating horizontally on the surface. Because they are sleeping and not actively swimming, they can stay under water much longer than when hunting for food.
Do harbor seals eat crustaceans?
Behavior and Diet They haul out to regulate their body temperature, molt, interact with other seals, give birth, and nurse their pups. 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.
How far out to sea do seals go?
Adult harbor seals can dive as deep as 1500 feet and stay underwater over 30 minutes!
Where are harbor seals found on the west coast?
Although some of the largest harbor seal pupping areas are found in California, they are also found north along the Pacific Coast in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Large populations move with the season south along the west coast of Canada and may winter on the islands in Washington and Oregon.
When do harbor seals molt on the shore?
Harbor seals must spend a great deal of time on shore when molting, which occurs shortly after breeding. This onshore time is important to the life cycle, and can be disturbed when substantial human presence occurs. The timing of onset of molt depends on the age and sex of the animal, with yearlings molting first and adult males last.
How are harbor seals affected by habitat loss?
Harbor seals are susceptible to habitat loss and degradation. Physical barriers, which may include shoreline and offshore structures for development (e.g., for oil and gas, dredging, pile driving), can limit access to important migration, breeding, feeding, molting, or pupping areas.
Are there any harbor seals left in Alaska?
While most of the 12 harbor seal stocks in Alaska are stable or increasing over the past 8 years, seals in the Aleutian Islands, Glacier Bay, and Icy Strait regions have likely declined. There is a small but apparently stable population of less than 500 harbor seals in the Pribilof Islands. Harbor seals are part of the true seal family.