Common Seal vs Spectacled Eider

Phoca vitulina compared with Somateria fischeri

Key Differences

• Common Seal is Near Threatened while Spectacled Eider is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Seal	Spectacled Eider
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)
Family	Phocidae (True Seals)	Anatidae
Genus	Phoca (Harbor Seals)	Somateria
Species	Phoca vitulina	Somateria fischeri

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Seal and Spectacled Eider share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Spectacled Eider

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Seal	Spectacled Eider
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.

Spectacled Eider

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Norway and 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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden