Grey seal

Most days during the summer, in an area known as the Blacklands Gully of Kouchibouguac National Park, there is a truly impressive natural show to be witnessed. Indeed, often a few hundred, sometimes up to 1,000 Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) can be seen in this area, sometimes hauled right up on the beach.

The Grey Seal is one of the largest seals inhabiting the Eastern Seaboard. Awkward on land, the Grey Seal is amazingly agile and capable in the water. While in water, the Grey Seal often maintains a vertical posture, exposing its head.

Grey Seals mostly eat fish, squid and assorted invertebrates. In the Western North Atlantic, large males can reach 3.3 m in length (11 ft) and exceed 400 kg (880 lb) in weight. Females are considerably smaller, reaching “only” 2.0 m in length and 250 kg in weight.