Harbour Seal
Phoca vitulina richardsi

Harbour seals are found along the coast of the temperate Northern Hemisphere. There are several subspecies, such as the Pacific harbour seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi, who inhabits the BC coast.

The adult harbour seal may reach a length of 1.6 - 1.9 metres, and the Pacific harbour seal may reach a length of 1.2 - 1.6 metres. Adult weight ranges from 60 - 80 kilograms. The colour can range from brownish to black, with a spotted, speckle pattern. Harbour seals are found in coastal waters, estuaries
and river systems.

Harbour seals are opportunistic feeders, and on the BC coast feed on chum and pink salmon during the fall, octopus, rockfish and salmon in the summer and eulachon in the winter.

Click here for more info on harbour seal evolution

Questions and answers about seals

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