Winter Animals
Are you wondering what animals are commonly seen off our coast during the winter months?
In the winter it is not uncommon to observe migrating humpback whales, in particular juveniles, 500 meters from the beach. If you are lucky, you may also get the rare chance to observe a migrating North Atlantic right whale.
Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
A humpback whale observed approximately 2miles out off of Rodanthe, NC on 7 January 2011. Multiple humpbacks were spotted in the general vicinity probably feeding on small fish, krill, or plankton. Humpback whales are currently listed as endangered.
Photo credit: M. Piscitelli
North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis)
This North Atlantic right whale individual was observed surface skim feeding a couple of miles off of Pea Island on 7 January 2011. Although most of their feeding takes place at depth (as deep as 600-800ft), right whales will occasionally feed at, or just below, the water's surface. These large whales feed on one of the smallest prey, called copepods. They will push their huge open mouths through the water for hours at a time.
Photo credit: K. Clark
More likely than not you may also commonly see seals hauled out, resting on our local beaches. There are four species of seals common to our area, including harbor seals, harp seals, grey seals, and hooded seals. All four species may be seen seasonally during the winter and spring months. Harbor seals are by far the most abundant and commonly seen species in this area. Harp and hooded seals are known as ice seals. The term "ice seal" refers to where these seals are born. Pupping (birthing) takes place on ice floes or pack ice off the eastern coast of Canada, extending north to Greenland. During the winter, many juvenile ice seals migrate south and are frequently seen in large groups in their northern territory. However, they are almost always solitary when we view them in our area.
Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina)
Description: The average size for a male or female adult is approximately 4-5feet in length and 220-250lbs. Their coloration ranges from dark gray to tan and is overlaid with many leopard-like spots. They have small heads, very large eyes, and a face that resembles a cocker spaniel.
Behavior: Adults will usually retreat to the water when approached, but juveniles will often remain on the beach. They are commonly seen resting on their side in a "banana" shape, on rocks or beaches along the coast.
Juvenile harbor seals in Duck, NC
Gray Seals (Halichoerus grypus)
Description: Males are characteristically larger than females. The average size of a male gray seal is approximately 7-8feet in length and between 660-770lbs in weight. Females will average approximately 6.5feet and between 330-450lbs in weight. Males' coloration is typically darker than females'. Males are dark brown, gray, or black with smaller, lighter spots, and females have a tan or light gray background with darker spots. Their most distinctive feature is the shape of their head. They have been nicknamed "Horseheads" because of the long, straight slope of their profile.
Behavior: Single animals will usually stand their ground when approached, while herds/groups will generally retreat to the water. They can be very vocal and aggressive.
A juvenile brown-grey seal pup. A grey seal pup with the more typical silvery coat.
Harp Seals (Pagophilus groenlandica)
Description: Adults have a silvery, white coloration with a black wishbone-shaped marking on the dorsal surface and a blackhead. Both males and females average 5-6ft in length and weigh up to 300lbs. The stages of development we are most likely to see are the "Beaters" ranging in age from 25days up to one year and the "Bedlamers" whose age ranges between 1-4yrs. During these stages, their coloration appears gray on the dorsal surface and silvery-white on the ventral surface with irregular or "splotchy" black-brown spots.
Behavior: All age classes are typically not afraid of people. They will not necessarily retreat to the water when approached. Often they will raise their head to follow you with their eyes. They are aggressive and should not be closely approached. Open-mouth displays and vocalizations are signs that you are too close.
A juvenile harp seal in Corolla, NC on 29 March 2011. An adult harp seal in Kill Devil Hills, NC on 27 Feb 2011.
Hooded Seals (Cystophora cristata)
Description: Juveniles are called "Blue-backs" and are the most common age group sighted. They are usually about one-year-old. Their coloration is a bluish/gray on the dorsal (back) surface and creamy white on the ventral (belly) surface; juvenile males and females look the same. Adult males and females differ in their appearance. The male hooded seal grows to be an average of 8.5ft in length and weighs approximately 700lbs. They are darker in overall color, with silvery-gray blotches throughout their fur. Only adult males have a nasal sac, which hangs down over their nose and mouth. When the sac is inflated, it forms a hood on top of the animal's head, a strategy to make their head appear larger and more intimidating. A second sac, which can be inflated through their nostril, looks like a red balloon and hangs down over their mouth. Females do not have a hood. Their average size is 7.5ft and approximately 400lbs. Female coloration is similar to that of males, but females tend to be lighter in contrast.
Behavior: They will not retreat to water when approached. They can be extremely aggressive and will bite if they feel threatened.
OBX Seal Haul-out Sites
Monitors discovered for the first time in 2010 what appears to be the formation of one of the first known haul-out sites for seals in NC. Green Island, located within Oregon Inlet has been seen with adult & sub-adult harbor seals, at times with up to 34 individuals at one time. Additional haul-out sites include Pea Island and the Shell Islands off of the southern tip of Ocracoke, NC. We believe these could possibly be the southernmost haul-out sites for harbor seals. Photo credit: P. Doshkov
