Mammals diurnal

Grey Seal

Halichoerus grypus

Meet the 'hook-nosed sea pig' of the North Atlantic. With their soulful eyes and distinctive horse-like profiles, Grey Seals are the majestic sentries of our rocky coastlines.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Males reach 2.5-3.3 meters (8-11 feet) and weigh 230-350 kg (500-770 lbs); females are smaller at 1.6-2 meters (5-6.5 feet) and 100-200 kg (220-440 lbs).

palette

Colors

Males are typically dark grey or charcoal with lighter patches; females are silvery-grey with dark, irregular spots. Pups are born with a distinctive white lanugo coat.

visibility

Key Features

Long, straight head profile often called a 'horse head'
Nostrils that are nearly parallel rather than V-shaped
Large, robust body with dark spots or blotches
No external ear flaps

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours Varies by tide; often seen resting during mid-day low tides

calendar_month

Season Year-round; Pupping occurs September-December (UK) or January-February (US/Canada)

restaurant

Diet Primary carnivores focusing on a wide variety of fish including sand eels, cod, and flatfish, as well as occasional crustaceans and cephalopods.

park

Habitat Coastal shorelines, rocky outcrops, sandy beaches, and protected estuaries.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

Grey Seals are charismatic marine mammals known for their haunting vocalizations and the classic 'banana' pose—lifting both head and tail—when resting on rocks. While they spend much of their lives at sea hunting, they are frequently seen 'hauling out' on land to rest, digest, and socialize. They are highly social during the breeding and molting seasons, often congregating in large colonies where hierarchies are established through vocal displays and occasional physical skirmishes.

For those living near the coast, you might spot them 'bottling' in the water—a behavior where they float vertically with only their snouts above the surface, looking much like a floating buoy. While they appear clumsy and slow on land, they are incredibly agile in the water. They generally maintain a wary distance from humans, but are known for their curiosity, sometimes following coastal hikers or kayakers from a safe distance to see what they are up to.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing a Grey Seal on a trail camera requires a deep understanding of the tides. For coastal 'backyards' or private beach access, identify a 'haul-out' spot—usually a flat rock or a stretch of sand that remains above water during low tide. Look for signs like flattened sand or 'seal trails' (wide, smoothed-out paths leading from the water). Mount your camera on a heavy, weighted tripod or a low-profile rock mount to keep it stable against coastal winds.

The biggest challenge for coastal cameras is the tide. You must ensure your camera is placed well above the high-tide line, even during 'king tides' or storms. To get the most intimate footage, set your camera at a low angle, roughly 1-2 feet off the ground; this captures their 'horsehead' profile against the horizon rather than looking down on their backs. Avoid using any food lures, as this is illegal in many jurisdictions and can disrupt their natural foraging; instead, rely on their habitual use of the same resting spots.

Because seals spend hours basking with very little movement, standard motion-trigger settings can lead to thousands of identical photos or very few captures if the sensor doesn't detect the slow movement. We recommend using a hybrid mode: set a PIR (motion) trigger with a long 5-minute cool-down period, but supplement this with a Time Lapse mode that takes one photo every 15-30 minutes during daylight hours. This ensures you catch the colony's activity even if they are just sleeping.

Finally, protect your gear from the elements. Salt spray will quickly crust over a lens, resulting in blurry, 'foggy' footage. Use a camera housing if available, and try to visit the site every few days to wipe the lens with a clean, damp cloth. Always keep your camera at least 50-100 yards away from the seals to avoid disturbance; use a camera with a high-resolution sensor so you can crop the image later without losing detail.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Grey Seal.

Harbor Seal

Much smaller with a 'dog-like' face and V-shaped nostrils, whereas the Grey Seal has a long 'horse-like' snout.

Hooded Seal

Rarely seen near shore; males have a unique inflatable nasal sac and a much more silver-and-black mottled coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

While they are active both day and night, you are most likely to see Grey Seals on land during low tide, regardless of the time of day. They prefer to haul out when their favorite rocks or sandbanks are exposed.

Unlike birds or squirrels, you cannot use food to attract Grey Seals, and doing so is often illegal (e.g., the Marine Mammal Protection Act). If you have coastal property, the best way to see them is to maintain a quiet, dog-free shoreline to make them feel safe enough to haul out.

Grey Seals are opportunistic hunters that eat a variety of fish, including sand eels, salmon, cod, and haddock. They will also eat squid, octopuses, and even small crustaceans if fish are scarce.

They are common only in coastal suburban areas along the North Atlantic. They are frequently spotted in harbor towns and on beaches in places like New England in the US, and throughout the coastal UK and Ireland.

Look at the head: Grey Seals have a long, sloping 'horse-like' snout and parallel nostrils. Harbor Seals have a shorter, dog-like face with a distinct forehead and V-shaped nostrils.

Record Grey Seal at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo