Seal Facts

The world is full of incredible animals – cute, cool, and crucial to their ecosystems. But here at the Seal Signal, we have opinions: seals are best. We’re captivated by their adorable silliness, the quiet intelligence glimmering in their eyes, and yet that’s only half of the story. They share some mammalian qualities with us, enough to make us think “ocean dog!”, yet they are also deep-diving, flippered aliens, gliding through kelp forests and icescapes that feel like dreams.

We meet them in liminal spaces – coastlines, beaches, coves – the places where worlds collide. And this is their domain, land and sea in equal measure. They are creatures of duality: on shore, they flop around and spark our instinct to help. But once they return to the water, everything changes. They slip into their other skin, turning graceful and fluid, becoming the playful, inquisitive spirits of the tides.

Yet seals are more than charming ocean voyagers. As keystone species, they shape entire ecosystems and serve as early indicators of ocean health, their well-being tied to the state of the seas. Helping seals means helping the ocean – but more than that, protecting the ocean is the most profound way to safeguard seals. Even the best animal can only shine in a thriving eco-system, and learning about their adaptations (and limitations) is crucial to protect our precious pinnipeds.