Spotted Seal (Phoca largha)

OTHER NAMES: Larga Seal

Latin Etymology: Phoca ("seal") largha (name of species in Siberian Tungusk language)

Adult Spotted Seal (subspecies P. l. largha) at Akkeshi, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Phoca largha largha
Weight: 70-130g  /  Length: 170cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A seal of the North Pacific, it was until recently considered a subspecies of the more ubiquitous Harbour Seal but has now been split off.  They are found from Alaska to China, but share their range with other seal species.  Their diet consists of krill, crustacians and fish like herring and cod.  This individual was sitting in the water in the bay out infront of Akkeshi, sitting in the water.

Related Species:
Order: Carnivora 
Family: Phocidae 
Genus: Phoca
SUBSPECIES: P. l. largha, P. l. ochotensis 

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ゴマフアザラシ  /  Gamafuazarashi  ("Sesame Seed Seal")

A sidespread coastal resident

 - TRIP: Single individual seen at Akkeshi

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Seal (Phoca vitulina)

OTHER NAMES: Harbour Seal

Latin Etymology: Phoca ("seal") vitulina ("calf-like")

Herd of Common Seal (subspecies P. v. vitulina) at Oare Marshes - August 2013

Featured Subspecies: Phoca vitulina vitulina
Weight: 130kg  /  Length: 185cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUTATED /  IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

Despite the name, really the common seal is in my experience a less common species than our other piniped, the grey seal.  Which is not to say that they are rare, but they seem to be more comfortable than the greys in more esturine habitat and hauling out on muddy beaches than the rocky shores I have seen their larger cousins at.  They can be fairly difficult to identify from each other, but the key is the face - the common seal has a shorter, concave snout compared to the dramatic roman nose of the grey and a more domed forehead.

Related Species:
Order: Carnivora 
Family: Phocidae 
Genus: Phoca
SUBSPECIES: P. v. concolor, P. v. mellonae, P. v. richardsi, P. v. stejnegeri, P. v. vitulina

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally fairly common resident.

 - Seen at Oare Marshes and Gravesend.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .