Grey seals

A guide to their lives and where to spot them

Lundy's Seals

Lundy is home to a breeding colony of around 60 Grey Seals (with up to double this number in the summer). They can be seen all around the island, particularly at their 'hauling-out' spots - favoured rocks and ledges for basking in the sun (marked on the map at the bottom of the page).

It's a pig...

The scientific name for the Grey Seal is Halichoerus grypus which means 'hook-nosed sea-pig'!

...and a cow

The female seal is called the cow. The male is called the bull. Bulls tend to be larger, heavier (on average 230 kg) and darker than cows. You may be able to tell them apart by their head profiles. Older bulls may also have scars from territorial disputes/fights.

Hisses, Hoots and Hollering

Both sexes make a variety of noises including hisses and snarls. You may be able to hear the seal's hooting and roaring, especially if these are amplified by the echoing effect of a cave.

Seal-Watching

Seals can often be seen in the Devil's Kitchen and Surf Point, bathing and hauling out on rocks just offshore. The same seals also come into the Landing Bay from time to time for an inquisitive look at visitors!

Seal Spotting

• Seals are best seen at their favoured hauling-out places (see map).
• The best time to spot seals is when the tide is out.
• If you can, take some binoculars with you to get a better view of the seals and see if you can distinguish between males and females.
• Please avoid disturbing the seals. This is particularly important during the breeding period (1 September to 1 November), when you should go no nearer to them than 100 metres by land or sea.
• Be safe! Stay away from cliff edges, be aware that rocks on the shore may be slippery, and always check the position of the tide. 

Pupping

Baby Grey Seals (pups) are born at preferred sites around the island, (see map) where they will be safe and undisturbed. As many as 25 pups may be born on Lundy each year. Many are born at the far end of sea caves.

Bottling

Seals are often seen 'bottling' - staying upright with only their head showing above water (see picture at the top of this page). They can probably sleep in this position.

Feeding

Around Lundy the seals' main source of food is fish such as Mackerel, Pollock and Wrasse, with the occasional crab and lobster.

Seal Facts

• The Grey Seal is also called the Atlantic Seal.
• The species occurs both here and on the other side of the Atlantic (in Canada), and in the Baltic Sea.
• Britain is host to over three-quarters of Europe's Grey Seals.
• Unlike its UK cousin, the Common Seal, Grey Seals prefer wind- and wave-swept rocky shores.
• The largest numbers occur on the west coast of Scotland.
• The Grey Seal is Britain's largest mammal (bigger than the Red Deer). The average length of a male is 2.0 metres and a female is 1.8 metres.
• Male Grey Seals live for an average of 25 years (maximum 35) and females for 35 years (maximum 46). 
• Apparently awkward and clumsy on land, seals are extremely agile under water, using their good eyesight and other senses to hunt for fish and other food. 
• The seal is so well adapted for water life it can stay below the surface for up to 20 minutes without taking a breath.