All Animals

Animal Guide

Harbour Seal

17 destinations · 15 states

Native Range
Northern Atlantic and Pacific coasts

Harbour seals have a calm, curious presence that can make them easy to watch for longer than expected. At an aquarium, one may float almost motionless, then suddenly twist underwater and disappear from view. Look for the large eyes and sensitive whiskers as the seal moves around its habitat. Those whiskers can detect vibrations and help the seal locate prey in the water. On land or a haul-out platform, harbour seals often rest in relaxed poses, with their spotted coats creating individual patterns that make each animal look slightly different. When they enter the water, the change is striking. Their streamlined bodies and strong hind flippers let them turn quickly and maneuver with ease. Harbour seals are found along northern Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, where they haul out on rocky shores, sandbars, and other quiet places to rest. Watching one switch between sleepy stillness on land and agile movement underwater gives visitors a good sense of how well suited these seals are to life in the sea.

Harbour Seal

Where to see Harbour Seal

17 destinations across 15 states

17 destinations

Alaska Zoo

Anchorage, AK

Aquarium of Niagara

Niagara Falls, NY

Blank Park Zoo

Des Moines, IA

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Powell, OH

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

St Paul, MN

Fort Wayne Zoo

Fort Wayne, IN

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Henry Vilas Zoo

Madison, WI

Long Island Aquarium

Riverhead, NY

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic, CT

Ocean World

Crescent City, CA

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha, NE

Saint Louis Zoo

St. Louis, MO

Seaside Aquarium

Seaside, OR

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Toledo, OH

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Virginia Beach, VA

Your ZooHopper Passport

Turn your wildlife adventures into a Passport

Keep track of the zoos, aquariums, safari parks, and wildlife destinations you've visited—and save the places you want to explore next.

  • Remember every visit
  • Build your wishlist
  • Collect Passport Stamps
  • Share photos & contribute
Create Your Passport

Dan's Passport

Places
12
States
6
Wishlist
9

Passport stamps

Recently visited

  • Bronx ZooBronx, NY
  • Georgia AquariumAtlanta, GA
  • San Diego Zoo Safari ParkEscondido, CA

MY WISHLIST

Monterey Bay AquariumMonterey, CA