This selection of Irish animals, native or introduced, is taken from the Appletree Press title Animals of Ireland. There will be a number of extracts from the book in coming months. The book contains highly detailed full colour illustrations to complement the detailed explanatory text.

Common Seal
Phoca vitulina
Rón beag

Like so many creatures with 'common' in their name, the Common seal is badly named. It is indeed common on parts of the north, east and west coasts of Ireland but it is replaced by the Grey seal over much of the western and northern coastline. The Harbour seal – a name by which it is also known – is probably more appropriate, for it is an inshore animal frequenting inlets, estuaries and unpolluted harbours.

There is considerable variation in the colour and pattern of this seal's silky coat. That of the adults is usually predominantly greyish or greyish brown on the upperparts. The underparts are paler – silvery or creamy on the belly. It is heavily mottled with irregular blackish markings. The young are dusky grey-brown mottled darker, quite unlike the creamy white pups of the Grey seal.

Common seals vary also in size. Old bulls may be over 2 metres ( 6 feet) long and weigh 250 kg (550 lb), while females are generally about 1.5 metres (5 feet) and weigh 150 kg (330 lb). Though smaller and lighter than the Grey seal, this is not always easy to assess 'in the field', particularly when the animal is alone. The best distinguishing features are the shape of the head and nostrils (if they can be seen). The head is quite dog-like, with raised forehead or brow. The nostrils are noticeably angled.

Breeding occurs in early summer and usually takes place on a lowlying sandy islet or spit at low tide, where the seals habitually haul up. They adopt distinctive banana-shaped postures with head and tail flippers lifted clear of the ground. The new-born pup is able to swim within hours and is weaned for a month after birth. The family group remains together till the winter when the pups become more solitary and fend for themselves.

Common seals eat a variety of marine food including fish (mainly inshore and estuarine species), shellfish and crustaceans. They are nonspecific and to some extent opportunist feeders as well and squid, octopus and other marine creatures are taken when available. In general, Common seals are tolerated by fishermen and have not earned a bad reputation for poaching salmon.

Irish seals are essentially saltwater animals but the Common seal may be seen occasionally in brackish water or sometimes even on larger rivers, miles from the sea.

Another Aquatic Mammal (pinniped) from Animals of Ireland include:
Grey Seal