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| Distribution |
In NC, strictly along the coast and inshore ocean. This is the only "expected" seal to occur in NC waters.
Occurs along both the north Atlantic coast and the eastern Pacific coast, unlike most other seals (which are generally found only in the Atlantic or the Pacific, but not both). It ranges south in the Atlantic regularly at least to NY, and essentially annually to NC and SC. |
| Abundance |
Quite common within its range. In NC, it seems to be increasing, despite global warming, and is being seen essentially each winter. It is rare to uncommon along the coast south to Oregon Inlet, and rather rare to Cape Hatteras; quite rare south of this cape. As many as 23-24 individuals were seen inside Oregon Inlet during the winter of 2011-2012; most were resting/basking on sandbars. |
| Seasonal Occurrence |
A winter visitor to NC waters, with some straggling into spring. |
| Habitat |
Cold to cool inshore waters, often near rocks in the main part of the range. In NC, not unusual to see on sandbars and other areas of sand, mainly at Oregon Inlet, but also on Cape Point at Cape Hatteras. At times seen foraging inside inlets. |
| Behavior |
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| Comments |
NOAA recorded 54 individuals of this species stranding on the NC coast from 2002-2009, far more than the other three species of seals combined have stranded. Thus, a seal seen in NC waters is assumed to be this species unless otherwise documented. |
| Origin |
Native |
| NC List |
Official |
 State Rank |
S2S3M |
| State Status |
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| Global Rank |
G5 |
| Federal Status |
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| subspecies |
Phoca vitulina concolor |
| other_comName |
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| synonym |
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