Gray Seal

Identification

The gray seal is a large, robust member of the "true seal" family, instantly recognizable by its distinctive long, sloped snout often likened to a Roman nose. Males are noticeably larger and heavier than females, with particularly wide muzzles and characteristically wrinkled, scarred necks and chests. In the eastern Atlantic, males typically measure 1.95–2.3 m in length and weigh 170–310 kg, while females are considerably smaller at 1.6–1.95 m and 100–190 kg. Western Atlantic populations are even more impressive, with males reaching up to 2.7 m and weighing as much as 400 kg. Like all earless seals, gray seals lack external ear flaps.

Coloration is highly variable and often sexually dimorphic. Males typically display a light pattern on a dark background, whereas females more commonly show a dark pattern on a light background with a noticeably light belly. Juveniles are often solid-colored and can be difficult to sex. Gray seals are easily confused with harbor seals across their range, but can be distinguished by their longer, more sloped snout, flatter head, more widely-spaced eyes, and parallel (rather than V-shaped) nostrils. They possess fewer but larger spots than harbor seals and are substantially heavier—about three times the weight of a typical harbor seal.

Range & Habitat

Gray seals are found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean, distributed across 18 countries from the United States to Russia, with occasional vagrants recorded as far south as Portugal and Greenland. The species is divided into two subspecies: the Baltic gray seal, confined to the Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic gray seal, found throughout the rest of the range. Canada and the United Kingdom support the largest populations. The global population was estimated at approximately 632,000 individuals in 2016.

In the UK, the most significant breeding grounds include the Monach Islands in the Outer Hebrides, Faray and Holm of Faray in Orkney, North Rona, the Isle of May, the Treshnish Isles, and Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast. More accessible sites for visitors include Blakeney Point and Horsey Beach in Norfolk, various Cornish locations, and Donna Nook in Lincolnshire. Gray seals have recently begun recolonizing parts of the tidal River Thames.

Behaviour & Diet

Gray seals are primarily piscivorous, feeding mostly on fish species across their range. Their diet occasionally includes invertebrates such as octopuses and lobsters. In the wild, their main predator is the orca, while they are also hunted by sharks. Young pups face predation from eagles and gulls, making their early months particularly vulnerable.

Best Time & Places to See It

The UK offers excellent opportunities for observing gray seals, particularly at established breeding and haul-out sites. Blakeney Point in Norfolk and Horsey Beach provide reliable viewing, as do various locations along the Cornish coast and Donna Nook in Lincolnshire. The Hebridean islands—including the Outer Hebrides and Orkney—host significant populations, though these require more planning to access. The Thames in London now offers an unexpected urban viewing opportunity.

Photography Tips

Gray seals' variable coloration and distinctive facial features make them rewarding photographic subjects. The sexual dimorphism in appearance—particularly the wrinkled, scarred necks of males versus the smoother appearance of females—offers compositional variety. Capture the characteristic "Roman nose" profile and the wide-set eyes that distinguish them from harbor seals. Breeding and haul-out sites provide predictable locations for photography, though approach distances should respect wildlife regulations. The variable light patterns across their bodies create interesting opportunities for both close-up portraiture and environmental context shots showing them at rest on rocks or beaches.