Wildlife - Marine

Grey Seal

Males can weigh over 300kg. The UK holds over 40% of the world's grey seal population.

Species description adapted from RSPB and BTO references - see links below.

Status: Least concern (recovering, vulnerable to climate change)North Yorkshire species profileGo to Wildlife Identification

Watercolour illustration of a grey seal resting on a rock

Marine - Photo ID

Grey Seal - photo identification

Britain's largest wild mammal and home to around 40% of the world's Grey Seal population. They haul out in groups on rocks and sandbanks around the Yorkshire coast to rest, moult and pup, then slip back into the cold North Sea to hunt fish.

Photographs by Rob - taken in and around the North York Moors.

A group of Grey Seals hauled out on rocks with one curious seal looking directly at the camera — A haul-out on the Yorkshire coast
Seals haul out to rest, warm up and conserve energy between feeding trips - they're warm-blooded mammals and the rocks dry their fur and let sunlight reach the skin. Note the long flat head and 'Roman nose' profile of the foreground animal: that's a classic Grey Seal feature, separating it from the rounder, dog-like face of a Common (Harbour) Seal. The youngster swimming in front shows how comfortable they are moving between water and land. Please give hauled-out seals plenty of space - if any animal lifts its head to look at you, you're already too close.
Photo: Richard Baines

How it fits into North Yorkshire wildlife

This species belongs to the marine world that supports North Yorkshire's coast. Its presence tells a bigger story about water quality, food supply and the resilience of life in the North Sea.

How it interacts with the wider landscape

Seal populations are sensitive indicators of marine ecosystem health.

Seasonal rhythm

Weather, sea temperature and prey movement all affect when this species is easiest to find or most under pressure.

Where to look and what to notice

Look for surface movement, feeding activity and calm viewpoints along the coast where the sea can be read more clearly.