Common Seal or Grey Seal Pup?

dbozkurt · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 01:02 PM

Took some pictures (using a zoom lens) of a seal pup sleeping on the seaweed at the Balranald RSPB reserve 1 November. After looking at many links which describe what type of seal is what, I think its a Common Seal | Wild About Britain one minute and a Grey Seal | Wild About Britain the next.

I recently posted a grey seal pup in its first fur coat, which seemed easier to identify. I have attached a side on view to capture the nose and a front view to capture the nostrils.

I would be grateful if you could give me your thoughts.

Thankyou very much Debbie

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scholesy · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 02:25 PM

I'm a bit like you, i have change my mind about 4 times. At first I thought common seal, then I talked myself out of that and thought it was a grey seal.

But i have decided that i think it is a common seal pup. The nostrils do look more like a 'V' shape than being parallel to each other. And the head quite rounded.

Common seal i think (or do I).

henrya · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 03:30 PM

I think for the time of year it has to be a Grey. I think the head shape/nostrils may not be reliable in pups. Don't human babies' head shapes change as they grow older? (Asks someone with minimal experience of babies).

henrya

eeyore · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 03:32 PM

i think you are probably right henry , although mind you we saw a baby (or at least young)common at blakeney in mid oct , sueseals will be able to tell us for sure.

Suesseals · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2006, 09:23 PM

It is tough as young greys often look like commons. I reckon this is a grey. It looks like a weaner who is possibly up to 2 months old. Nostils are a bit wide at the base for a common. Nose profiles of young greys are a bit concave, like commons. The pelt looks more like a grey too. Good point about timing - increasing probability of being a grey.