The increasing proximity between people and seals in the wild is causing more seal bite incidents. As seals continue to habituate to humans, they are more likely to feel less afraid of humans. For instance, humans feeding seals can encourage them to approach boats or ports waiting for handouts.
Those “friendly” creatures of the sea are only friendly because they have been tamed in captivity for show purposes. In the wild, they will likely hurt you if they percieve you to be threatening to them.
Although rare, there are a few records of adult leopard seals attacking humans. There has also been one fatality, when a researcher was snorkelling in Antarctic waters and was killed by a leopard seal.
Seals may flee into the water immediately when they hear or see a human. This flight disrupts their resting, can cause mother-pup separations and may endanger their health. If you see the seals raise their heads in a startle response, immediately back away so that they do not feel threatened.
Always let seals make the first move – let them approach you. Sit back, wait quietly and observe. Aim to stay calm and move slowly to avoid spooking the seals and provoking a startled response. Be confident that seals are usually gentle creatures unless they feel threatened.
It is against the law to touch, feed, or otherwise harass seals.
But such human contact does more harm than good. Like our cherished Assateague ponies, seals are large wild animals and can be extremely dangerous. They will bite – and serious infections can be transmitted to you or your pet. Seals are mammals, as are we.
Of all of the pinniped species that live in the temperate waters of the North Atlantic, the grey seal is perhaps the most gregarious.
The researchers found seal strandings and human interactions increased in the years they studied, especially in Southern Maine and in winter. About 15% of the strandings they studied involved human interactions, and 75% of those were considered harassment.
Seals have also been shown to h ave a short-term memory of approximately 18-seconds, demonstrated by a study conducted by the University of Southern Denmark in which capture animals were trained on a specific action, then were trained to respond to the cue “repeat” by repeating the previous action they just performed ...
Seals and dogs are both notoriously friendly, so it's little surprise that they'd become friends upon meeting.
Attacks by seals are rare, but the animals can become aggressive and unpredictable if they feel that they or their young are threatened. Last year, the City of Cape Town issued a warning to visitors not to approach or feed the native fur seals. The advisory came after a teenager was attacked, and one seal was killed.
So it turns out seals are avid (and somewhat aggressive) cuddle monsters. As shown by a San Diego seal in particular, seals don't seem to discriminate with whom they choose for snuggle partners.
Seals are naturally curious and playful, and it was likely trying to get a better look at its surroundings. A seal's curiosity can also have more insidious outcomes. Many have been caught and strangled by fishing nets and lines.
Generally speaking, seals are friendlier to humans and are less likely to attack, and sea lions can be a little more hostile. However, it does depend on the seal. Many sea lions are accustomed to humans, with many being kept in zoos and wildlife parks, and are used to human interaction, making them very friendly.
Seals probably have a brain and logical reasoning similar to that of the sea lions. They have been found to respond to cues better than dogs.
Seal vocalizations consist of grunts, barks, growls, chirps, and whistles to communicate their thoughts and feelings, both on land and in the water.
Seal and Sea Lion Management
Contact with seals or sea lions can result in a serious infection by the bacterium leptospirosis, commonly known as “seal finger.” Avoid feeding seals, as this will significantly reduce the likelihood of seal/human contact.
That means they have a degree of consciousness. However, it doesn't make them as self-aware as we are, as they would also need to be aware of their own inner state and be aware of their own awareness.
Seals are generally calm and patient when it comes to complicated situations. They are full of enthusiasm and enjoy exploring the motivation and reasoning behind ideas. They have excellent imaginations and are often inspired by their values and beliefs.
Seals are carnivorous and dive underwater to hunt for fish, crustaceans, seabirds, and other marine animals. Whales, sharks, and even other seals are the primary non-human predators of seals.
Caniformia is a suborder within the order Carnivora consisting of "dog-like" carnivorans. They include dogs (wolves, foxes, etc.), bears, raccoons, and mustelids. The Pinnipedia (seals, walruses and sea lions) are also assigned to this group.
Under the EPBC Act all seals and sea lions occurring within Australian waters are listed as marine species ( EPBC Act 1999; section 248). It is an offence to kill, injure, take, trade, keep, or move any member of a listed marine species on Australian Government land or in Commonwealth waters without a permit.
For your safety and the animals' health, never approach or interact with a marine mammal. Find a safe distance to view these wild animals. Bring your binoculars and enjoy spotting local seals and sea lions.
Seals on land
In the course of millions of years, they have adapted in all kinds of ways to life in the sea. All these adaptations have made them very clumsy on land. They can't walk since their hind fins lie in extension of their body.