Atlantic Gray Seal vs Common Seal

Halichoerus grypus compared with Phoca vitulina

Key Differences

• Atlantic Gray Seal is Vulnerable while Common Seal is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Atlantic Gray Seal	Common Seal
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order same	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)
Family same	Phocidae (True Seals)	Phocidae (True Seals)
Genus	Halichoerus	Phoca (Harbor Seals)
Species	Halichoerus grypus	Phoca vitulina

Evolutionary Relationship

Atlantic Gray Seal and Common Seal share a common ancestor at the Family level: Phocidae. (True Seals)

Conservation Status

Atlantic Gray Seal

VU — Vulnerable

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Atlantic Gray Seal	Common Seal
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	30 years
Average Length	—	1.7 m
Average Weight	—	80.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Atlantic Gray Seal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Common Seal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse ecosystems where prey species are available.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Atlantic Gray Seal

The Atlantic Gray Seal (Halichoerus grypus) is a species in the genus Halichoerus. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Common Seal

The most widely distributed pinniped, harbor seals inhabit temperate and subarctic coastal waters of both the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Adults reach up to 130 kg and spend roughly equal time at sea hunting fish, squid, and crustaceans and hauling out on beaches or rocks to rest. Their large, expressive eyes are adapted for underwater vision in low light. Harbor seals are a critical food source for orcas, sharks, and polar bears.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇸🇪 Sweden