What Divers Should Know About Grey Seals

The grey seal, a large "true seal" of the North Atlantic, is an impressive sight underwater. These robust pinnipeds lack external ear flaps, a characteristic of their family, and possess a distinctively large head, earning them the nickname "horsehead seal." Eastern Atlantic individuals typically measure 1.6 to 2.3 meters long and can weigh between 100 to 310 kg, with males generally larger than females. Western Atlantic males can be even larger, reaching up to 2.7 meters and weighing as much as 400 kg.

Divers exploring the northern Atlantic waters, from the US to Russia and occasionally as far south as Portugal, might encounter these substantial mammals. Grey seals primarily feed on fish, supplementing their diet with invertebrates such as octopuses and lobsters. When observing them, look for their pronounced "Roman nose" or long, sloped snout, distinct from other seals by its flatter head and widely spaced, parallel nostrils.