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Phoca vitulina (Common Seal, Harbour Seal) is a species of mammals in the family earless seals. They are associated with freshwater habitat. They are native to Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, the Palearctic, and The Nearctic. They are solitary, diurnal carnivores. Individuals are known to live for 480 months and can grow to 186 cm. They have parental care (female provides care). They rely on swimming and lift powered swimming to move around.

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  • URI: https://eol.org/schema/terms/lift_based_swimming
  • Definition: Hydrofoils, or fins, are used to push against the water to create a normal force to provide thrust, propelling the animal through water. The reduction of fin cross-sectional area helps to minimize drag, and therefore increase efficiency. Regardless of size of the animal, at any particular speed, maximum possible lift is proportional to (wing area) x (speed)<sup>2</sup>. Dolphins and whales have large, horizontal caudal hydrofoils, while many fish and sharks have vertical caudal hydrofoils.
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EOL has data for 63 attributes, including:

Known occurrences, collected specimens and observations of common seal, harbour seal. View this species on GBIF