Subtle signs of ageing.

Studying seals over several years reaps greater rewards as time passes. Seals that were young when Seal Group records began, are now 5 years older. In the 2 examples below, the signs of maturity are beginning to show.

S18 is a female. In 2002, she had a short rotund body. Her head was small with a short snout and a slightly concave profile. Three and a half years later, the same seal has a much longer, sleeker body shape. Her head is larger and her snout longer, with a much flatter profile. DP164 is a male. In the last 12 months his size and shape have changed too. From a slim and athletic body, he has transformed into a well fed and powerful seal. Whilst his snout is longer, its profile seems to have changed little. As this seal continues to age, his snout profile will change from concave to flat and then to convex, as it becomes characteristically romanesque. These subtle changes are helping us to estimate the age of the seals we see with greater accuracy.

S18 - 09/03/02 (Far left) : S18 - 05/04/03 (Mid left) : S18 - 22/03/05 (Mid right) : S18 - 14/08/05 (Far right)

DP164 on 28/08/04 (Left) : DP164 on 24/09/05 (Right.)

As yet, the Seal Group have been unable to track a pup from its birth locally through to adulthood. We are not even sure if this is possible as some seal pup coats seem to change significantly as juveniles, when many (probably males) become a plain and honey colour. A recent pup does, however, seem to suggest we may be able to follow this seal through to adulthood, as this pup moulted early to reveal a pelage that is very well marked. Other pups - including the one seen this weekend on a remote beach close to the haul outs - seem to keep their white coat until they are weaned and may disappear before we have been able to photograph their pelage pattern. Thank you to June and Jackie who first spotted this pup.

Pup fully moulted and well marked (Left) : Similar aged pup still with its long white fur (Right.)