This is Bucky the harbor seal. He shares this small exhibit with 3 California sea lions. Sometime in the next year they will all have a large new exhibit.
This is Bucky the harbor seal. He shares this small exhibit with 3 California sea lions. Sometime in the next year they will all have a large new exhibit.
So much darker than Phoca vitulina around our shores.
Some Brits now refer to this as being the harbour, rather than common, seal - others don't like to do so, on the reasonable grounds that our animals are seldom to be seen anywhere close to harbours!
So much darker than Phoca vitulina around our shores.
Some Brits now refer to this as being the harbour, rather than common, seal - others don't like to do so, on the reasonable grounds that our animals are seldom to be seen anywhere close to harbours!
I don't mind when an animal's name changes to be more accurate, but the switch to 'Harbour Seal' from 'Common Seal' seems to make it much less accurate!
Given that the 'harbour' name is so much more established in North America, do North American animals hang around harbours?
Yes, you can see them around harbors. They also frequent wilder, quieter areas. In San Diego there is a popular beach that has been shut down to people because the seals moved in and started using it.
Yes, you can see them around harbors. They also frequent wilder, quieter areas. In San Diego there is a popular beach that has been shut down to people because the seals moved in and started using it.
Thanks for that. In the UK neither of the usual species of seal (Common and Grey) is particularly to be found in harbours - I've occasionally seen Greys near them but never a Common.
I remember seeing a member of this species (dodging neatly round the issue!) in a bay in San Diego harbour when there in early 1999. And, of course, masses of California sealions.
Together with Brown Pelicans, all were utterly ignored by the Americans on the whale watching cruise we were on. Talk about familiarity breeding contempt..
Thanks for that. In the UK neither of the usual species of seal (Common and Grey) is particularly to be found in harbours - I've occasionally seen Greys near them but never a Common.
Absolutely. It is one of a fair number of animals whose English common names serve to mislead. The two African rhino species are the most obvious examples.
