The common seal is the most widespread of pinnipeds.  A pinniped is an aquatic, carnivorous mammal with all four limbs modified into flippers. Walruses and sea-lions are included in the group.   The male is larger than the female and may be up to six and a half feet in length.  He may weigh up to three hundred and seventy-five pounds.

The common seal can vary in colour from grey, tan, black and brown. Each seal may have darker patches of fur on its coat.  The patches are individual to the particular seal, with no pattern of patches being identical. The male common seal has a shorter life span than the female. She may live for up to thirty-five years, whilst he may live for up to twenty-five years. The difference in life spans may be partly due to the stress that the males undergo during the mating season, as they have to exert great effort in protecting their females.
 
The common seal is gregarious, but their groups are small in number in comparison to other pinnipeds.  They draw advantage from grouping, as safety in numbers is usually a good policy for a prey animal. They do still fall prey to killer whales and man.  Pups may fall victim to foxes and large birds of prey. 

Courtship and mating take place underwater. The female gives birth to a single pup in June or July. It is born in an advanced state of development, and can crawl and swim within a few hours of birth. The male will mate with the mother as soon as the pup is weaned. The male takes no part in rearing the pup, as his attentions are set on fighting for and protecting his mating rights. The seals moult in August and September soon after breeding, and spend much of their time ashore during this time.
 
Common Seal Fun Fact - The common seal has long whiskers and uses them to guide itself in darker waters.  It has excellent hearing. 

Common Seal - Photograph Courtesy of Marcel Burkhard

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