The Gray Seal is the largest pinniped in the North Atlantic, with bulls reaching over 700 pounds and an unmistakable horse-like, elongated snout. It has rebounded dramatically in the western North Atlantic, and large breeding colonies now occur on Nantucket and other New England islands. Gray seals are a primary prey of the white shark off Cape Cod, contributing to the recovery of that species as well.
Best time to see a Gray Seal
The best time to see a Gray Seal is June–September, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,287 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Gray Seal? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Gray Seal sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Gray Seal?
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