HARBOR SEAL
Taft Beach - Siletz Bay, Oregon
DID YOU KNOW?
Galumphing?!
When Seals move on land by flopping along their bellies, it is called Galumphing. If you've ever seen them while there well...galumphing...you can't help but smile!
True-Seal Lineage
Being apart of the True Seal Club is a real treat - it means you have no ears. Huh? Well, True Seals have no ear flaps, called pinna, so they can better maintain their body heat and not get cold heads. When they dive into the waters, their ears (or lack of:) close. I wonder if water gets in their ears, if it hurts as much as when we get water in our nose...hmm?
"I'm Hauling Out!"
A seal will haul-out when they are going from water to land. They do this for many reasons - resting, escaping, reproduction purposes, and more! When you see a seal on land make sure to leave them be - you wouldn't want someone sneaking around your bed now would you?
My Eyes Sure are Dry - Said no Seal EVER!
Seals have "wet spots" near their eyes making it so they don't get dry while out of the water.
SPIRITUAL MEANING
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Having harmony between the physical and spiritual realm due to their ability to navigate the land and sea
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Protection and Guidance - their sensitive whiskers, called Vibrissae, help them to navigate and be an extension of external touch​
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Balance - between play/work, solitude/connection, etc.
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Highly regarded and respected animal by the Native American Tribes
UNIQUE
When pups are born they are able to immediately swim! That's a pretty big job right of the bat, so when they get tiered, they can be seen riding the back of their mothers through the waters. Seals spend equal amounts on the water as they do on land. When in the water they can dive as far as 1,500 feet and can hold their breath for 40+ minutes!
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They exhale before diving and have adaptations, like a higher concentration of myoglobin - a protein that stores oxygen in muscle - helping them to retain and store more oxygen than other mammals.
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There is power in BREATH!