Alaskan Seals

A deep sense of immensity and connection reaches you the first time your eyes travel over the shorelines, fjords, bays, or sounds of Alaska. All the elements are connected here. Each life form supports another. One marine mammal that explores its curiosity and playfulness, occasionally making its presence known, is the harbor seal. Some stand out more than others, making their presence more apparent to us and giving us clues about our place in this ecosystem.

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Curiosity of the Coast

Paddling through Alaska’s coastal regions will offer breathtaking views. And some up close interactions with the marine life. The harbor seal is likely to be one of those encounters.

When harbor seals see something as a non-threat, and their curiosity piques, they will take the opportunity to get a closer look. They will poke their heads and the upper parts of their bodies out of the water to try to figure out what is. Sometimes, seals will travel close to boats or rocky shorelines. Simultaneously, they showcase their own details and excellent swimming skills.
Harbor seals are abundant in Alaska, with an estimated 141,000 in non-glacial sites and approximately 15,000 in glacial fjords, a rough estimate due to the difficulty of effective census techniques. This is not to take away from the significant reduction in numbers since 1970. (Alaska Fish and Game)
These seals vary in color and size. Some have light gray sides and a belly with dark splotches or spots, while others have a dark background with light rings. Like a human’s fingerprints, it is believed that the pattern of rings and spots on each seal is unique to that individual. These marine mammals sport a short, bristly coat that they molt seasonally. They can reach five to six feet in length, while males tend to be a bit larger than females.  And these seals can weigh up to 285 pounds! Talk about eating a lot of fish.

Life of a Seal

These marine mammals have adapted to perform best in the water rather than on land. You may see a group of seals gathered on the shore, typically near a water entry point. That is why you often see them grouped by ports and harbors. This is for quick access to safety if a predator were to be nearby. A seal has the ability to stay submerged for 20 minutes in the water, giving a safe haven from terrestrial predators. However, most dives are typically under 4 minutes.

Harbor seals spend their time swimming through kelp forests and exploring the bay area for various fish species to eat. These marine mammals are opportunistic feeders, taking advantage of whatever food sources are available.Seals head to land for a few reasons: to haul out onto beaches to relax, give birth, and nurse their pups. Seals will swim in solidarity, in contrast to when they congregate in the thousands on land. When in groups, they are referred to as pods or bobs.
Some seals travel extensively, typically in the winter months, while others stay more localized. Harbor seals will communicate visually by slapping the water with their fins to show aggression. They pull themselves along with their front flippers, moving their bodies in a caterpillar-like motion.
In the water, these mammals swim with elegance and grace. Using their fore flippers as rudders and their hind flippers for propulsion by clasping both hind flippers together. They splay webbed toes and move their large hind flippers side to side. Both their fore and hind flippers have claws that are used for scratching, grooming, and defense.

Coastal Connections

If you want a first-hand chance at seeing the behavior of seals in Alaska, it is best to take the more peaceful route. Paddle a sea kayak or walk to rocky beaches to catch views of these inquisitive but elusive creatures. By creating these non-threatening experiences, you reduce stress and promote environmental stability for the Harbor Seals. You are a part of these ecosystems once you enter them. Be sure to respect these fragile systems and support the living beings within them.

Seals give birth to their pups between May and mid-July, gestate their embryos for eight and a half months during the winter and spring, and mate in the fall. The young stay with their mother for one month. Spring boat tours are a great way to spot some very cute pups with their parents. Take to the coast and see if you can spot any of these seals. The best months are from May to August. So get out there, get your paddle in the water, and see if you can’t spot your oceanic friends while in Alaska.
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