The Common Seal is also known as the Harbour Seal and is likely to be found along the sheltered east coast of England. It can also be seen from a seal observation point called ‘Blakeney Point’ on the Norfolk coast. Lots of Common and Grey Seals can be spotted there.

The Common Seal has a rounded head and a stocky-looking body with flippers at the sides. It has a small friendly-looking face with a flat, blunt muzzle and a large, black triangular-shaped nose. The Common Seal can be silver-grey, black or brown in colour and its body is often spotted all over with faint dark patches. It also has ears that are not visible.

On land the Common Seal can only wriggle on its stomach which makes it look weak and vulnerable. In the sea it becomes an athletic creature of beauty and grace. It has rear flippers which help it to swim and steer in water, especially when it is hunting for food. It eats a variety of fish and sometimes shrimps and squid. Although the Common Seal seems confident in water, it is still considered to be a nervous and wary sea mammal.