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Eastern Atlantic Harbour Seal

10 destinations · 8 states

Native Range
North Atlantic coastal waters and the North Sea

Eastern Atlantic harbour seals can look wonderfully relaxed as they float, but their movements become much more interesting when you watch for a few minutes. A seal may rest almost motionless at the surface before slipping underwater with barely a splash, then reappear somewhere else in the exhibit. Its sensitive whiskers help detect vibrations and movement in the water, while large eyes are useful in the dim conditions below the surface. On land, the contrast is striking. Harbour seals shuffle and wriggle across rocks or haul-out platforms, looking far less graceful than they do while swimming. In the water, flexible bodies and strong hind flippers let them turn quickly and navigate around rocks with ease. Eastern Atlantic harbour seals live along the coasts of the North Atlantic and North Sea, where they hunt fish and other marine prey. Look closely when one approaches the glass. You may notice the whiskers moving as the seal investigates its surroundings, giving a glimpse of how much information these animals gather while exploring underwater.

Eastern Atlantic Harbour Seal

Where to see Eastern Atlantic Harbour Seal

10 destinations across 8 states

10 destinations

Aquarium of Niagara

Niagara Falls, NY

Central Park Zoo

New York, NY

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland, OH

Georgia Aquarium

Atlanta, GA

Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago, IL

Louisville Zoo

Louisville, KY

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee, WI

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic, CT

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Norwalk, CT

Woods Hole Science Aquarium

Woods Hole, MA

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