There are two types of seals in the UK; the grey seal and the common seal, also know as the harbour seal. You can always tell which ones are common seals as they are smaller in size, have a shorter head and snout, a rounder face and V-shaped nostrils.
Colourful common seals
Andrew Armstrong
Seals can be seen all year round along the British coast. You might spot just their heads as they peek out across sea’s surface or a whole colony hauled out on the mud, resting and basking in the sunshine.
Lynne Newton
Despite their name, common seals are actually less common than grey seals. They are protected in Britain under the Conservation of Seals Act and are also classified as a Priority species. They are also one of our three Marine Week Sea Superheroes!
What makes them so super? Essex’s common seals can turn bright orange!
Why are they orange?
The mud they haul out on contains particles of iron-oxide which is the scientific name for rust. This rust harmlessly attaches to the seals fur which over time turns them a shade of orange!
Are they always orange?
No, seals malt their fur once a year. When this happens, all the orange is lost, and it grows back completely grey.
Where can I see them?
Essex isn’t the only place with orange seals but it’s only common on the east/southeast coast of England. This is because the seals in Essex haul out on mud whereas in other places they tend to haul out on rocks and sand and shingle beaches. As they like to rest in sheltered estuaries and coastal embayments, they can be hard to spot. If you want to see the orange seals in all their glory, then you’ll need to go on a special wildlife watching boat trip.
How can I help to protect them?
Make sure never to approach seals. They can be disturbed easily, especially when they are hauled out so please respect their distance and admire them from a far.
Entanglement in marine litter and ghost fishing gear is a big threat to common seals, so why not participate in a beach clean or simply pick up and safely dispose of any rope, strapping or net next time you're at the beach.
Beach cleans at the Naze Nature Discovery Centre:
- 26 July, 1 - 3pm
- 21 August, 11am – 1pm
- 18 September, 10am – 12pm
- 20 October, 11am – 1pm
- 3 November, 10am – 12pm
- 18 December, 10am – 12pm
Please email helend@essexwt.org.uk or phone 01255 679379 if you’d like to attend!