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Seal Spotting

Harbor Seals can be spotted bobbing around in bays or lounging on the Pacific shoreline.

Article ImagePhoto by Gary HayesHarbor Seals lounge around on a rocky shoreline. An indisputably adorable creature, the Harbor Seal is perfectly adapted to life in the frigid Northwest Pacific Ocean. A relative of Elephant Seals, Sea Lions and Walruses, the Harbor Seal occupies the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in temperate, sub-arctic and arctic waters. Reaching six feet in length and weighing up to 375 pounds, these marine mammals are gracefully agile in water and fantastically adapted for diving, able to plunge to 900 feet and remain submerged for more than 20 minutes. A thick coat of waterproof fur and multiple layers of blubber keep seals comfortable in virtually any water temperature. Newborn pups are able to swim within minutes of birth, though they will often ride on their mothers' backs to conserve energy. Seals spend much of their lives in the water, but haul ashore to give birth, rest, suckle their young, molt and escape predation. On land, seals move by undulating like caterpillars and using the front flippers to pull themselves along. It is not uncommon to encounter a seal pup that has been left on shore to rest while its mother feeds at sea. Though it may look like the youngster has been abandoned, it is certainly just waiting for its mother's return and should be given plenty of space and never be touched. Our local subspecies, the Pacific Harbor Seal, can be found bobbing around in the Columbia River and is easily spotted from the docks of Astoria. Look for sunning seals on the beach at the mouth of Siletz and Nehalem Bays. The beaches and rocky shorelines of Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, Otter Rock and Seal Rock also offer great opportunities for spying these endearing creatures. For a can't miss encounter with seals, the Seaside Aquarium, lets you get up-close and personal with seal antics. Visitors have come to feed the seals at this classic coastal attraction for over 70 years. - by Jenna Boyle

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  • Published in: Coast Explorer Spring 2009
  • Click to see other items about: Nature