There are great numbers of harbor seals from the Arctic Ocean to Mexico on the west coast of North America and from the Arctic down to South Carolina on the east coast, as well as along European and Asian coasts. They are called harbor seals because they stay near shore.
These seals are much smaller than sea lions or elephant seals. A full-grown harbor seal is five to six feet long and weighs up to three hundred pounds. Baby seals weigh about thirty pounds at birth. They are born in spring and nursed for four to six weeks, after which they are on their own. The pups, which can swim right after birth, make loud cooing sounds that are recognized by their mothers when they get separated.
They are appealing mammals, starting out as pups with a smooth, gray skin with patches of dark spots. The adults are speckled dark brown or sometimes almost reddish. They have tan, oval faces with dark eyes, long, white whiskers and large, flipper-like tails. They have a friendly look but are actually timid and quickly wiggle from the sandy shore into the ocean waters when people or animals get too close.
Harbor seals may live for twenty-five years, but they are not as strong as their larger relatives. Still, they are excellent swimmers and can dive 280 feet deep while chasing something to eat. Although good swimmers, they tire rather easily, resting frequently on shore or on a rock protruding out of the water where there are almost always other seals already enjoying sunbathing. Some do their hunting at night.
They feed on kelp, crabs, squid and octopi, and they also enjoy fish, particularly salmon. They can be a real problem where streams or rivers empty into the ocean and great numbers of fish start to migrate upstream. Some of their favorite salmon areas on the west coast of North America include the entrance to canal locks between Lake Union and the salt water in Seattle, the mouth of the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon, as well as at the Trinity and Sacramento Rivers of California.
In addition to being killed by many fishermen, the harbor seals’ worst enemies are sharks, particularly the one called great white, as well as dogs, bear, coyotes and foxes which attack them along the shores where they are resting.
They are indeed one of the wonders of God’s creation, and He cares for them. The Bible says, “In [the Lord’s] hand is the soul [life] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)).
Have you thanked Him for His care over you? And have you accepted His offer to have His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Saviour?
ML-11/07/2010