Class: Mammalia

Order: Pinnipedia

Scientific Name: Phoca vitulina

Range: Coasts of the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans to Baja California and several inland lakes near Hudson Bay

Habitat: Riverbanks, beaches, offshore reefs, rocky points

Diet: Wild: Mature: Fish, squid, octopus; shrimp, crab and crustaceans Zoo: Fish (smelt, mackerel, capelin), vitamins

Gestation: 10.5-11 mos.

Litter: 1-2

Description: Harbor seals have short, round heads with a V-shaped arrangement of the nostrils. The background color is generally brownish or gray, marked with small spots. All flippers are furred on both sides. Adult males are 59-79 ins. long and weigh 154-374 lbs. Females are somewhat smaller at 47-49 ins. long and 110-330 lbs. in weight. They have ear openings, which they can close, but lack external ears.This species is usually solitary, the only social cohesion being between the mother and her nursing pup. Adults and juveniles form strong linear hierarchies based on size and sex, adult males being dominant. Many individuals may gather at a favorite "hauling out" site for sleeping, birthing and resting. Harbor seals are strong swimmers using black flippers in a side to side motion and can leap completely out of the water or stay submerged 20-43 minutes. Metabolism slows to allow this. They are non-migratory and make only limited movements in connection with foraging and breeding. Enemies include sharks, killer whales, bears, walruses and, in the case of the young, eagles.Single pups are usually 30-39 ins. long and weigh 22-26 lbs. The pup has adult pelage and can swim at birth.

Where in the Zoo? I can be found in the Seal & Sea Lion Exhibit at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.