| Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) can
be found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. They prefer coastal
waters and love to bask on sandy beaches, mudflats, bays, and
estuaries. They have spotted coats in shades from gray
to black. They have small flippers with no external ear flaps. In California, harbor seal pups are born in early spring (March-April). Mowry Slough to Mud Slough that hug the San Francisco Bay is a common breeding area for the seals. This isolated but biological rich area is ideal for the new pups. photos by Michael Salvaggio |
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There are a total of 40,000 seals in
California according to a 1997 census. The harbor seal is the last
native sea mammal that breeds in the San Francisco Bay. It is important to keep our shores clean and pollution free, so these seals can condition to thrive in the south San Francisco Bay. |
