COMMON SEAL

The common seal, also known as the harbour seal or Phoca vitulina, is a species of true seal native to the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. It is one of the most widely distributed seal species in the world, and can be found in coastal waters from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean Sea. Common seals are typically gray or brown in color, with a spotted or mottled pattern. They have a long, streamlined body with a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm in cold waters. Their flippers are relatively small, and their tail is short and rounded. Common seals are social animals and live in groups called rookeries. They are predators and feed on a variety of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Common seals are an important part of the marine ecosystem and play a role in controlling the populations of their prey species.