Common Seal vs Red-Throated Diver

Phoca vitulina compared with Gavia stellata

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Seal	Red-Throated Diver
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Gaviiformes (Gaviiformes)
Family	Phocidae (True Seals)	Gaviidae
Genus	Phoca (Harbor Seals)	Gavia
Species	Phoca vitulina	Gavia stellata

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Seal and Red-Throated Diver share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

View Phylum: Chordata

Conservation Status

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Red-Throated Diver

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Seal	Red-Throated Diver
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.

Red-Throated Diver

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.

Red-Throated Diver

Red-Throated Diver (Gavia stellata) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.