common seal

This is a adult common seal seal at the Blakeney Point National Nature Reserve in Norfolk.

Common seals are brown, tan, or gray, ( the tan seal in this picture blends perfectly with the habitat) They have distinctive V-shaped nostrils and an adult can attain a length of 1.85 meters and a mass of 130 kilos. Females outlive males (30-35 years versus 20-25 years). Common seals stick to familiar resting spots, generally rocky areas where land predators can't reach them, near a steady supply of fish to eat

With each individual possessing a unique pattern of fine, dark spots (or light spots on a dark background in some variants), they vary in colour from brownish black to tan or grey; underparts are generally lighter. The body and flippers are short, with a proportionately large, rounded head. The nostrils appear distinctively V-shaped; as with other true seals, there is no ear flap