The Harbor seal, also known as the common seal, is found in the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the North and Baltic Seas. Numerous harbor seals routinely rest on the rocky shores of Long Beach, California. Harbor seals are considered pinnipeds, or fin-footed animals, belonging to the same family as walruses, eared seals, and true seals. Generally, harbor seals are brown or gray and have V-shaped nostrils. An adult harbor seal can grow up to about 6 feet long and weigh up to 300 lbs. Female harbor seals generally outlive males by about 10 years, reaching the age of 35.
Harbor seals are not an endangered species, with an estimated global population of about 400,000 to 500,000. However, some subspecies are threatened, particularly in the Greenland, Hokkaido, and Baltic Sea regions. For the most part, seal hunting has been made illegal, with some exceptions. Nevertheless, seals still face the problem of getting caught in fishing nets. Sometimes harbor seals are even targeted by fishermen who see them as a threat to fisheries.
Adult harbor seals hardly interact with fellow seals, except during mating season, when they tend to be extra attracted to the opposite sex. It’s important to note that they can be extremely aggressive when touched by another seal, and demonstrate this with snorting, biting, growling, or scratching. They do, however, show a certain degree of tolerance when they are with fellow young seals but exhibit opposite behavior when in the company of adult seals. They also haul out, usually during afternoons or evenings, on beaches and rocks. Hauling out is when the seals are on land, resting, eating, socializing, or mating. They are always on the lookout for potential predators, and, once they sense danger, they immediately return to the safety of the water. Moreover, harbor seals regularly haul out in two specific sites where they feel the safest. Finally, they do share their haul-out spots with other pinniped species, such as Northern elephant seals and California sea lions. You can learn more about the unique characteristics of these mammals by trying our harbor seal sightseeing cruises in Long Beach, CA.
For those who wish to experience harbor seal sightseeing cruises in Long Beach, CA, our company offers guaranteed sightings of these extraordinary creatures. Our knowledgeable crews can bring you to areas where these harbor seals gather and perform their daily routines. This way, you can better understand their behavior as individuals and collectively when they belong to a group. We will maintain a safe observation distance from their known haul-out sites to avoid threatening them and making them flush back to the safety of the water. We will likewise turn off the boat’s engine to avoid alarming the harbor seals from where they’re staying. During the trip, you can expect to see other sea mammals such as whales, dolphins, eared seals, walruses, and true seals. Our cruise personnel can provide fun facts and in-depth details about these creatures so you can appreciate them and learn a lot about them. At the end of the trip, you will surely leave with a deep appreciation of the various sea mammals that you will see throughout the cruise.
Book a tour now by calling our hotline number 310-547-9916. Our friendly staff will also help you choose the best schedule for your planned sightseeing cruise. Try our services now and let us prove to you why we are considered the best company for harbor seal sightseeing cruises in Long Beach, CA.