Questions people actually ask
Short answers, each with its source.
How many kinds of seal live in the UK?
Two seal species live and breed around the UK all year: the grey seal and the harbour seal (also called the common seal). Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK
What’s the difference between a grey seal and a harbour seal?
In profile, grey seals have a flatter, more ‘Roman’ nose; harbour seals have a dished, dog-like face with a clearer forehead. SMRU: Identifying seals leaflet Grey seals have nearly parallel nostrils; harbour seals have V-shaped nostrils that almost meet at the bottom. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK
Which is bigger?
The grey seal is Britain’s largest resident seal. Adults can grow to more than 2.5 metres long and weigh up to about 300 kg. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK Harbour seals are smaller: roughly up to about two metres long and around 70–150 kg. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK
When are grey seal pups born?
Grey seals around the UK mostly pup between September and December (timing varies by coast: earlier in the west, later in the east). Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK
When are harbour seal pups born?
Harbour seals usually pup in June and July. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK
Should I rescue a lone seal pup?
A lone seal pup on a beach is often waiting for its mother. Keep your distance, keep dogs away, and call a local rescue if the pup looks injured or is in clear danger — do not put it back in the sea yourself. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK By about a month old it is normal for a grey seal pup to be left alone on the beach while the mother feeds at sea — it is not usually abandoned. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK
Are UK seals endangered?
The IUCN Red List assesses the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) as Least Concern globally, with an increasing population trend. IUCN Red List: Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) · checked 5 Nov 2026 The UK Marine Strategy 2026 update says Good Environmental Status has been met for grey seals, but harbour seals have not yet achieved it in the Greater North Sea and are declining in places such as north-east Scotland and south-east England. UK Marine Strategy part one update 2026 · checked 5 Nov 2026 SCOS reports that harbour seal numbers are declining and/or depleted in most UK Seal Monitoring Units with notable numbers. SCOS scientific advice on UK seal populations (2025 report) · checked 5 Nov 2026
What do seals eat?
Grey seals mainly eat fish (including sand eels, cod, flatfish and others) and also take squid, octopus and crustaceans. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK Harbour seals take a varied mix of fish such as herring, sand eels and cod, plus squid, octopus and sometimes crustaceans. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK
How deep can seals dive?
The Natural History Museum notes grey seals have been recorded deeper than 400 metres, though they often hunt in shallower water. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK MarLIN records harbour seals diving to 450 m and staying submerged for up to 30 minutes. MarLIN: Common or harbour seal
How many grey seals does Britain have?
Britain’s shores hold a large share of Europe’s grey seals: the Natural History Museum puts the UK population at about 120,000, roughly 40% of the world total and about 95% of the European population. Natural History Museum: Seals in the UK UK grey seal pup production in 2022/23 was estimated at about 79,122 — the highest total on the SCOS record — with over 70% of those pups in Scotland. SCOS scientific advice on UK seal populations (2025 report) · checked 5 Nov 2026