Facts about Grey Seal

1. 08

   Throughout their lifespan, grey seals develop distinctive spotted coats that darken with age, with adult females typically weighing 150-200 kilograms compared to males reaching 300-350 kilograms.

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2. 07

   Hearing underwater, grey seals possess ear structures that automatically close their ear canals when diving, relying instead on bone conduction to detect prey vibrations from distances up to 100 meters away.

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3. 06

   Distinctive V-shaped nostrils characterize grey seals, distinguishing them from harbor seals which possess crescent-shaped nostrils.

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4. 05

   Around 8,000 grey seals inhabit the British Isles, representing approximately 40 percent of the global population of this species.

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5. 04

   Male grey seals establish and defend territories during the December to January breeding season, with dominant bulls controlling access to females on haul-out sites for up to six weeks.

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6. 03

   Grey seals can dive to depths exceeding 300 meters and hold their breath for over 30 minutes while hunting for fish and squid on the ocean floor.

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7. 02

   In 2018, scientists tracked grey seals off Scotland traveling over 5,000 kilometers in a single foraging trip lasting approximately six months.

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8. 01

   Pups born to grey seals in the North Atlantic weigh approximately 14 kilograms at birth and gain roughly 2 kilograms daily during their three-week nursing period.

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