Gray Sealハイイロアザラシ

Halichoerus grypusLC— Least Concern

The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) is a large true seal of the North Atlantic, found in two main population centers around the British Isles and along the eastern coast of North America. It feeds mainly on fish such as cod but is also known to prey on porpoises and other seals. Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, it is an extremely rare visitor to Japanese waters.

Gray Seal (reference photo)
Photo: Lucc77 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Carnivora / Phocidae Source
Distribution
Found across the North Atlantic, with major populations around the British Isles and along the eastern coast of North America from New Jersey northward. It is a rare vagrant in Japanese waters. Source

Did You Know?

  • Its scientific name Halichoerus roughly means 'hook-nosed sea pig,' referring to its distinctively curved snout. Source
  • A stray pup that appeared on Akita Prefecture's coast in 2006, nicknamed 'Omo-chan,' was an exceptionally rare sighting for Japan. Source
  • Males are known to communicate underwater by clapping their flippers together. Source

Where to See This Species

1 facilities · 0 individuals

How to tell Sea Lions, Seals, Fur Seals, and Walruses apart →

Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

鳥羽水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではLC(低懸念)です。海岸の繁殖地を守り、個体群を見守ることが重要です。

Habitat

北大西洋の海岸、砂浜、岩礁、島しょ。

Threats

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

What does the grey seal eat?
It feeds primarily on fish like cod, sand eels, and herring, but has also been documented preying on porpoises and other seal species. Source
Has a grey seal ever been seen in Japan?
Yes, though extremely rarely. A young grey seal nicknamed 'Omo-chan' appeared on the coast of Akita Prefecture in 2006. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org