Common Seal vs flat-leaved scalewort

Phoca vitulina compared with Radula complanata

Key Differences

Common Seal is Near Threatened while flat-leaved scalewort is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Seal	flat-leaved scalewort
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Marchantiophyta (liverwort)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Jungermanniopsida (Jungermanniopsida)
Order	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Porellales (Porellales)
Family	Phocidae (True Seals)	Radulaceae
Genus	Phoca (Harbor Seals)	Radula
Species	Phoca vitulina	Radula complanata

Conservation Status

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

flat-leaved scalewort

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Seal	flat-leaved scalewort
Diet	Carnivore	—
Average Lifespan	30 years	—
Average Length	1.7 m	—
Average Weight	80.0 kg	—

Habitat & Geographic 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.

flat-leaved scalewort

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries) and North America (United States).

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.