Harbor Seal

About the Harbor Seal

They can sleep underwater, surfacing periodically to breathe without waking. Their heart rate drops from 80 to 4 beats per minute during dives. Over 500,000 worldwide. They are the most widespread seal species. They can dive to 500 meters. Pups can swim within minutes of birth. They have been blamed for declining fish stocks and illegally killed by fishermen. They live 25-30 years. Their scientific name means sea calf. They haul out on rocks, beaches, and sometimes piers in cities. They are curious and sometimes interact with divers.