Common Seal
Phoca vitulina
Length 1.8-2m

The smaller of our two seal species, females being appreciably smaller than males. Compared to grey seal, has rather rounded disc-like face with short snout. Coat colour is extremely variable but usually some shade of grey or white with darker spots. Effectively absent from S and W England. The species' strongholds lie on the E coast, from Norfolk to Orkney and Shetland; it also occurs around W Scotland and the E coast of Ireland. Favours shallow, sheltered coastal waters and estuaries. Arguably the best place to observe common seals is at Blakeney Point, Norfolk. Large numbers present here throughout year, often sunbathing on sandbars. Females give birth on land but pups can swim straight away. Dives well for fish and can remain submerged for up to ten minutes.