Wild Animals

Wild Common Seal Haul-Out Behaviour

Common seals haul out on beaches, sandbanks and rocks for thermoregulation, moulting and social interaction, and their welfare during these periods depends on freedom from disturbance.

Key Facts

Common seals haul out for up to 12 hours per day during the summer moult
Lactating cows alternate nursing with haul-out resting periods between water entries
Disturbance that causes repeated entry to the water increases energy expenditure and stress
UK population is around 33,000, with significant colonies in the Wash and Scottish coasts

Welfare Considerations

Seals disturbed during haul-out experience acute stress responses that increase energy expenditure and reduce thermoregulation. Lactating cows disrupted repeatedly between nursing visits reduce milk production and pup growth. Seals that become habituated to disturbance through repeated exposure may show reduced vigilance to genuine predator threats. Protecting haul-out sites from human disturbance directly improves seal welfare across all age classes.

What You Can Do

Maintain minimum 100 metre distance from common seal haul-out sites at all times
Keep dogs on leads on beaches with seal haul-outs year-round
Report seal disturbance incidents to SNH in Scotland or Natural England elsewhere
Support BDMLR and Seal Research Trust monitoring and rescue operations