Harbor Sealゼニガタアザラシ
Phoca vitulinaLC— Least Concern
The harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) is a true seal found across temperate and Arctic coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. In Japan, a resident subspecies inhabits eastern Hokkaido year-round, making it the only seal species permanently established in Japanese waters. It feeds on a wide range of coastal fish and cephalopods, and its conservation status in Japan improved from Endangered in 1998 to Near Threatened by 2015.
Harbor Seal (reference photo)
Species Data
Did You Know?
- Its Japanese name references coin-like white spots on a dark coat; Japan's population is predominantly the dark color morph. Source
- Unlike ice-dependent seal species, harbor seals give birth on rocky shores rather than sea ice. Source
- Pups are born highly developed and capable of swimming and diving within hours of birth. Source
Where to See This Species
7 facilities · 0 individuals
How to tell Sea Lions, Seals, Fur Seals, and Walruses apart →Kamogawa Sea WorldChiba東京駅から特急わかしおで約2時間、JR「安房鴨川」駅下車後、無料送迎バス（西口バス停発）で約10分。
鴨川シーワールドのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
釧路市動物園 (Kushiroshi Doubutsuen)HokkaidoJR釧路駅から阿寒バスで約55分、または自動車・タクシー・レンタカーで約27分（18km）。
釧路市動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
札幌市円山動物園 (Sapporoshimaruyama Doubutsuen)HokkaidoOpened in 1951
札幌市円山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
小樽水族館 (Otaru Suizokukan)HokkaidoOpened in 1958
小樽水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
城崎マリンワールド (Kinosakimarin World)HyogoJR城崎温泉駅から全但バスで約10分「日和山（マリンワールド）」バス停下車。
城崎マリンワールドのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
新屋島水族館 (Shinyashima Suizokukan)KagawaOpened in 1969
新屋島水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
東京都恩賜上野動物園 (Toukyoutoonshiueno Doubutsuen)TokyoOpened in 1882
東京都恩賜上野動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
IUCNではLC（低懸念）です。日本の定住個体群には地域ごとの保全課題があります。
Habitat
北太平洋・北大西洋の沿岸、岩礁、砂浜、河口。
Threats
- 漁網による混獲
- 上陸場の攪乱や減少
- 海洋汚染
Conservation & Breeding Efforts
- 上陸場と繁殖地の保全
- 個体数と移動の継続調査
- 水族館での生態教育
Sources
Support Conservation
A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.
- Visit
- A visit itself helps support the facility.
- Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
- Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
- Furusato Nozei
- Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.
FAQ
- Is the harbor seal the only seal that lives in Japan year-round?
- Yes. The resident subspecies found in eastern Hokkaido is the only seal species permanently established along Japan's coast, unlike other species that only visit seasonally. Source
- Where do harbor seals give birth?
- They give birth on rocky shores rather than sea ice, distinguishing them from ice-dependent seal species. Source
Source: ja.wikipedia.org