Atlantic Harbor Seal

Attention: The elevators will be down from November 15 to 27 for maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Please note: The Harbor View Café is closed for renovations until mid-November. Learn more about on-site dining options here.

Two families of harbor seals live in the Aquarium’s exhibit. Each seal looks different and has a distinct personality. Photographs and descriptions at the exhibit help visitors identify the individual seals.

At the Aquarium

The Aquarium’s harbor seals live in the Atlantic Harbor Seal exhibit on the front plaza, where Aquarium staff feed and train them daily.

How You Can Help

Marine mammals like harbor seals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, so if you see a seal on the beach remember that they should not be approached.

VISIT THE AQUARIUM

Size

Males can weigh 150 to 300 pounds and grow up to six feet long. Females weigh up to 200 pounds and are about four-and-a-half feet long.

Diet

Fishes and squid

Lifespan

25 years on average

Range

Harbor seals can be found along North Atlantic coasts from Canada and Greenland through New York. Some occasionally wander as far south as Florida.

Conservation Status

Least concern

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC

Threats to Survival

Climate change

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

Meet the Aquarium’s Atlantic Harbor Seals

Connect with the Aquarium’s Atlantic harbor seals like never before through one of our Animal Encounter programs. Animal encounters open a world of learning while helping support the work of ocean conservation.

BOOK AN ANIMAL ENCOUNTER

CONSERVATION

How the Atlantic Harbor Seal Population Rebounded

The Atlantic harbor seal was once a threatened species. Several human initiatives took place to turn things around for these local seals, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act and coastal clean-up projects. Atlantic harbor seals are now considered a stable population! Their story is proof of the difference ocean conservation efforts can make.

Ask the Expert

Learn more about Atlantic Harbor Seals with marine mammals trainer Patty.

4 VIDEOS Total View time 1:54

What are Atlantic harbor seals?

00:22

Where do Atlantic harbor seals live?

00:21

How many harbor seals does the New England Aquarium have?

00:44

How can we help wild populations of harbor seals?

00:27

Meet Reggae the Harbor Seal

Marine Mammal Trainer Kim introduces us to Reggae and shows us the various features of his exhibit. Reggae uses many aspects of his body to groom, and eat, and navigate his surroundings.