Common Seal vs Spotted Seal

Phoca vitulina compared with Phoca largha

Key Differences

• Common Seal is Near Threatened while Spotted Seal is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Seal	Spotted Seal
Kingdom same	Animalia (สัตว์)	Animalia (สัตว์)
Phylum same	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)	Chordata (สัตว์มีแกนสันหลัง)
Class same	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)	Mammalia (สัตว์เลี้ยงลูกด้วยน้ำนม)
Order same	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)	Pinnipedia (Seals & Sea Lions)
Family same	Phocidae (True Seals)	Phocidae (True Seals)
Genus same	Phoca (Harbor Seals)	Phoca (Harbor Seals)
Species	Phoca vitulina	Phoca largha

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Seal and Spotted Seal share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Phoca. (Harbor Seals)

Conservation Status

Common Seal

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~500.0K

Trend: Stable →

Spotted Seal

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Seal	Spotted 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.

Spotted Seal

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Taiwan.

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.