Canada’s vast coastlines are home to some of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures: seals. From the icy waters of the Arctic to the rocky shores of the Atlantic and Pacific, these marine mammals thrive in diverse habitats. Whether they’re diving deep for fish or lounging on ice floes, seals play a vital role in our marine ecosystems and captivate anyone lucky enough to spot them.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only. Always observe seals from a safe distance and follow local wildlife viewing guidelines.
1. Harp Seals Migrate Thousands Of Kilometers Every Year
Harp seals are true ocean wanderers, travelling up to 8,000 kilometers annually between their breeding grounds and feeding areas. Born on the ice floes of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and off Newfoundland and Labrador, these seals follow the seasonal ice patterns.
During summer months, they swim north to Arctic waters where food is plentiful. Their incredible navigation skills help them return to the same breeding spots year after year, showing remarkable memory and instinct.
2. Harbor Seals Can Hold Their Breath For Nearly Half An Hour
When hunting for food, harbour seals can stay submerged for up to 28 minutes without coming up for air. Their bodies are specially designed for this impressive feat, with extra oxygen stored in their blood and muscles.
Found along both Atlantic and Pacific coasts, these seals dive as deep as 500 metres searching for fish, squid, and crustaceans. Their heart rate actually slows down during dives to conserve precious oxygen.
3. Newborn Seal Pups Have Fluffy White Coats Called Lanugo
Picture the cutest thing you’ve ever seen: that’s probably a seal pup in its white baby coat. This thick, woolly fur called lanugo keeps newborns warm on the ice but isn’t waterproof.
Within just two to three weeks, pups shed this fluffy coat and grow their adult fur, which is waterproof and perfect for swimming. Mother seals can identify their own pups among hundreds by their unique scent and voice.
4. Grey Seals Are Among The Largest Seal Species In Canadian Waters
Male grey seals are absolute giants, weighing up to 400 kilograms and stretching over 2.5 metres long. That’s roughly the weight of a grand piano! Females are smaller but still impressive, reaching about 250 kilograms.
These powerful swimmers have distinctive horse-shaped heads and can be spotted along Atlantic Canada’s shores. Sable Island, off Nova Scotia, hosts the world’s largest grey seal breeding colony with over 300,000 individuals.
5. Seals Use Their Whiskers To Hunt In Complete Darkness
Those long whiskers aren’t just for show. Seals possess incredibly sensitive whiskers called vibrissae that detect tiny water movements created by swimming fish, even in pitch black conditions.
Scientists have discovered that seals can follow fish trails up to 30 seconds old using only their whiskers. This superpower helps them hunt successfully in murky waters or during the dark Arctic winter when sunlight disappears for months.
6. Ringed Seals Build Snow Caves To Protect Their Babies
Ringed seals are master architects of the Arctic, using their strong claws to dig breathing holes through thick ice and creating cozy snow dens above them. Mother seals give birth inside these hidden lairs, protecting vulnerable pups from harsh weather and predators like polar bears.
The snow provides excellent insulation, keeping the inside temperature much warmer than outside. These clever seals are the smallest and most abundant seals in Canadian Arctic waters.
7. Seals Can Sleep While Floating Vertically In Water
Ever seen a seal doing what looks like a headstand in the water? They’re actually catching some sleep! Seals often rest in a vertical position called bottling, with just their nostrils poking above the surface.
This unusual sleeping position lets them breathe easily while staying alert to danger. Seals can also sleep underwater, surfacing automatically to breathe without fully waking up. They’re truly adapted for life between two worlds.
8. Hooded Seals Inflate Their Nasal Cavity Like A Balloon
Male hooded seals have one of nature’s strangest features: an inflatable nasal membrane that looks like a bright red balloon emerging from their nostril. When threatened or trying to impress females, males blow up this bizarre hood and shake it vigorously.
They can also inflate the lining of their nasal cavity out through one nostril, creating a red balloon. Found in Arctic Canadian waters, these deep diving seals are truly one of a kind.
