Common Seal vs Soft Puffball

Phoca vitulina compared with Lycoperdon molle

Key Differences

Common Seal is Near Threatened while Soft Puffball is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Seal	Soft Puffball
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Phocidae (True Seals)	Lycoperdaceae
Genus	Phoca (Harbor Seals)	Lycoperdon
Species	Phoca vitulina	Lycoperdon molle

Conservation Status

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Soft Puffball

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Seal	Soft Puffball
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.

Soft Puffball

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (5 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.