Common Seal vs

Phoca vitulina compared with Phormidium versicolor

Key Differences

Common Seal is Near Threatened while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Seal
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Bacteria (Bacteria)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Cyanobacteriia
Order	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Cyanobacteriales
Family	Phocidae (True Seals)	Oscillatoriaceae
Genus	Phoca (Harbor Seals)	Phormidium
Species	Phoca vitulina	Phormidium versicolor

Conservation Status

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Seal
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.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Sweden.

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.

Phormidium versicolor is a filamentous cyanobacterium in the family Phormidiaceae known for variable pigmentation, as implied by its species name. It forms mats and biofilms on moist soil, rocks, and freshwater substrates across a wide range of habitats. Its conservation status is not evaluated.