Stats

Lifespan

25-30 yrs

Size

Medium

Diet

Carnivore

Activity

Cathemeral

Social

Colony

Biome

Temperate coast

Range

Northern Hemisphere

Movement

Swimming

Breeding

Live Birth

Defense

Speed

Status

Common

About

A stocky, spotted pinniped that hauls out on rocks and sandbars along Northern Hemisphere coasts, and is the most widely distributed seal species in the world. It can dive over 500 feet and hold its breath for up to 30 minutes while hunting fish.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   newborn

   A live-born newborn nurses on its mother's milk and depends on her for warmth and protection.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A weaned juvenile begins eating solid food and learning from its parents or group.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown at adult size.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Carnivora

Family

Phocidae

Genus

Phoca

Species

Phoca vitulina