Harbor Seal

Phoca Vitulina

Harbor seals inhabit shallow areas of estuaries, rivers, and places where sandbars can be found during low tide. They are found in temperate, sub-arctic and arctic waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. Harbor seals eat squid, crustaceans, and various fish including salmon, herring, and also flounder. Adult males can grow up to 6 feet and weigh around 375 pounds, while adult females can grow around 6 feet and weigh around 330 pounds. Harbor seals coloration varies from light gray or silver to dark gray or brown to black. Their coat markings can range from dark spots to white rings. Most spots can be seen on the backside. Seals lack external ear flaps, but have internal ear holes, which will be closed when diving. Harbor seals move their rear flippers in order to move through the water. Harbor seals can sleep on land or in the water.


Sea Turtles

Sea turtles have inhabited the earth’s waters for millions of years. Sea turtles live for long periods of time but scientists are not certain of their life spans as sea turtles can outlive the scientists. Currently, five of the eight recognized species of sea turtle can be found in the waters surrounding Florida.

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Loggerhead Turtle

Known for its unusually large head, the loggerhead is the most widely seen sea turtle in South Florida. The carapace, top shell, and flippers are usually a reddish-brown color while their plastron, bottom shell is yellow. Loggerhead turtles can be seen throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

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Leatherback Turtle

Referred to as the champion of all sea turtles, the leatherback turtle grows the largest, dives the deepest, and travels the furthest. Adults of this species can grow 4 to 8 ft in length and can weigh 500 to 2000 pds. The leatherback can be seen worldwide from the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

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Green Sea Turtle

One of the largest of the eight species of sea turtles, the green turtle has been documented to grow to a maximum of about 4 feet and weigh 440 pounds. The shell is considered heart-shaped in appearance. An adult female green sea turtle may lay up to nine nests in one season, which runs from June through September.

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