harbor seal

American  

noun

1. a small, spotted seal, Phoca vitulina, of the Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe and the Pacific coast of northern North America.

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Etymology

Origin of harbor seal

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

“A harbor seal swam under me for close to a minute as I approached the beach, one of those wildlife-human interactions that we cherish,” Rubin wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Their diet centered on smaller marine mammals including harbor seals and harbor porpoises, and they usually traveled and foraged in groups of about five.

From Science Daily

Pelicans glided over the cresting waves, while a harbor seal watched the surfers for a bit before diving under the surface and disappearing from sight.

From Los Angeles Times

Diving in a kelp forest in Monterey Bay recently, I watched a tubby 200-pound harbor seal follow a fellow diver, nibbling on his flippers.

From Los Angeles Times

Other mammal species that have since been infected include skunks, domestic cats, bottlenose dolphins, harbor seals, foxes, mountain lions and coyotes.

From Los Angeles Times