I LIVE IN NORTH AMERICA
The harbor seal is native to northern regions in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Harbor seals in the Pacific Ocean can often be found as far north as Alaska along the Aleutian Islands. This species prefers to live in shallow, coastal waters with access to both the land and the water.
I AM A CARNIVORE
Harbor seals are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat whatever marine animal they have the chance to. They eat whatever is seasonally available in their habitat ranging from cod to salmon to squid.
HARBOR SEALS ARE SOLITARY
When in the water, harbor seals like their solitude and will often hunt by themselves. However, because they are not very agile on land, when they move up onto land, they will lounge in large groups of up to 1,000 individuals for extra protection.
EYES FOR UNDERWATER
Harbor seals’ eyes are adapted to see a range of black and white shades, something that attributes to their strong underwater vision capabilities. Because their eyes are adapted to see these shades, their eyesight is poor when on land.
HELPING THE HARBOR SEAL IN THE WILD
The Fort Wayne Zoo is a proud supporter of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in their work to rescue and rehabilitate stranded seals and California sea lions.
I AM IMPORTANT TO MY ECOSYSTEM
As a predator in their ecosystem, the harbor seal plays an important role in bringing balance to various wild marine animal populations. Their strong swimming also creates currents in their ecosystem, something that aids in distributing nutrients between the shore and the ocean.