Lincoln Park Zoo

Common name: Gray seal Latin Name: Halichoerus grypus Class: Mammals Order:    Carnivora Description The gray seal is a sexually dimorphic species, meaning males and females differ in appearance. Males can be up to three times larger than females and display an elongated nose. While individual animals display a mixture of gray, black and brown markings, males typically feature light spots on a dark background while females feature dark spots on a light background.

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Range
The gray seal can be found throughout the northern Atlantic, from Canada to Russia and Scandinavia.

Status
Common

Habitat
Gray seals typically inhabit rocky coasts and islands, although they can also be found on ice shelves and icebergs. They spend much of their time hunting in the water.

Niche
Gray seals feed primarily on fish and mollusks. The species has been known to dive more than 150 feet in pursuit of deep-water fish. They are vulnerable to predation by great white sharks, killer whales and humans.

Life History
Seals gather in large groups during mating season, and males compete for breeding access. After mating, females delay implantation of the fertilized egg to ensure they give birth during favorable seasonal conditions. The single pup is entirely white at birth and quickly gains weight from the fat-rich milk of the mother. The mother leaves her pup within a few weeks, leaving it to live off its blubber deposits until it sheds its white fur and gains a thicker, adult coat enabling it to survive at sea.

Special Adaptations

• The gray seal's fur is thick and waterproof, helping the animal maintain warmth in its cold-water habitat.
• This streamlined mammal can reach more than seven feet in length.