Seals
As one of the keystone species in marine ecosystems, seals help maintain a balance in the food web. Seals consume fish, squid, and crustaceans. Seals are also important food sources for larger predators like orcas, polar bears, and sharks. Through their movements, seals also help to cycle nutrients through the water column, and transfer them from sea to shore.
Scientific Name:
Phoca vitulina (harbor seal), Halichoerus grypus (grey seal), and Pagophilus groenlandicus (harp seal) are among 33 species of seal
Species Status:
Ranges from least concerned to critically endangered
Where do seals live
Seals can be found on every continent
Habitat:
Bays, sandy coastlines, and harbors in temperate coastal habitats; cold water and ice of the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans; tropical climates
