Grey Seal

Halichoerus grypus

More photos of Grey Seals can be found on the November 2007 Diary page

Newborn pup - Lincolnshire, England - November 2003

Grey Seals congregate on breeding beaches, such as at Donna Nook, in the autumn each year to give birth. The pups are born with a covering of white fur, or lanugo, which is shed after 2-3 weeks. The mother's milk is extremely rich, containing over 53% fat, enabling the pups to gain body weight very quickly (about 1.8kg per day).

Newborn pup - Lincolnshire, England - November 2003

It is widespread and common in most of the wetland areas of South America, and is generally found in small family groups of about 20 individuals.

Newborn pup - Lincolnshire, England - November 2003

Although they are suberbly adapted for an aquatic lifestyle (are excellent swimmers with eyes and nostrils on the top of their heads allowing them to breathe and see while almost completely submerged), Capybaras use water primarily as a place of refuge with most of their normal daily activity taking place on land.

Newborn pup - Lincolnshire, England - November 2003

mother with pup - Lincolnshire, England - November 2003

Mating usually takes place about 3 weeks after the female has given birth, and until then the females vigourously attack any male they consider is getting too close.

female fighting off unwanted attention from a male - Lincolnshire, England - November 2003

female fighting off unwanted attention from a male - Lincolnshire, England - November 2003

The females also spend a lot of time fighting amongst themselves...

2 females fighting - Lincolnshire, England - November 2003

A large proportion of the seals at Donna Nook have a browish colour which is not completely due to staining from the sand. The population a bit further north on the Farne Islands show a much more typical colouration.

Northumberland, England - June 2004

Northumberland, England - June 2004

More photos of Grey Seals can be found on the November 2007 Diary page