Seal Spotted On Short Beach In Stratford

This seal appears to be a juvenile Harp Seal.

It had been seen resting on a sandbar, at Short beach on April 18-19, during low tide.

It's overall length was about 4 feet.

Adult Harp Seals can attain about 6 feet in length.

Also, adults have a large brown "saddle" or "harp-like" marking on their back.

This species is more often seen off of Canada.

However, strays have been seen as far south as Virginia.

These seals show little fear of humans.

For this reason, they are targeted by seal fur hunters.

This lone individual seems to have left the area.

For this reason, I waited to post, so that it would not be stressed-out, by lots of well-intentioned visitors.

Clearly, an example of the amazing nature along Stratford's coastal ecosystem.

Joe Koripsky