Beaked Iris vs Common Seal

Iris ensata compared with Phoca vitulina

Key Differences

Beaked Iris is Not Evaluated while Common Seal is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Beaked Iris	Common Seal
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Mantodea (Mantodea)	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)
Family	Eremiaphilidae	Phocidae (True Seals)
Genus	Iris	Phoca (Harbor Seals)
Species	Iris ensata	Phoca vitulina

Evolutionary Relationship

Beaked Iris and Common Seal share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

View Kingdom: Animalia

Conservation Status

Beaked Iris

NE — Not Evaluated

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

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

Habitat & Geographic Range

Beaked Iris

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (Taiwan), Europe (5 countries), and North America (Canada, United States).

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.

Beaked Iris

The Beaked Iris (Iris ensata) is a species in the genus Iris. Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

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.