Grey seal (Gråsäl)

Characteristics:
The grey seal is Sweden’s largest seal species. It has a powerful body, long nose, and broad head with almost parallel nostrils — a key feature distinguishing it from other seals. Males can reach up to 3 meters in length and weigh over 300 kg, while females are smaller, about 2 meters long and 150–200 kg.
The fur varies from dark grey to light grey, often with distinct spotting patterns. The pups, called “kutar” in Swedish, are born covered with a white lanugo coat that they shed after a few weeks.

Habitat:
The grey seal is found along the entire Swedish Baltic Sea coast, especially in the Stockholm archipelago, the Gulf of Bothnia, and the Bothnian Bay, as well as around Gotland and Öland. They haul out on rocks, skerries, and ice floes for resting, moulting, and breeding.

Behaviour:
Grey seals are social animals, often seen resting in groups on rocks or ice, but are fast and skilful swimmers. They can dive for up to 10 minutes and travel long distances offshore. They have excellent hearing and smell, both above and below water.

Diet:
Grey seals are carnivorous, feeding mainly on fish such as herring, cod, whitefish, and perch, but also on crustaceans and squid. They can cause damage to fishing gear and reduce fish stocks, leading to regulated protective hunting in some areas.

Reproduction:
Mating occurs in spring (March–April), but due to delayed implantation (diapause), females give birth the following February–March. One pup is born on ice or rocky islands. The mother nurses the pup for about 2–3 weeks, during which it quickly gains weight from the fat-rich milk.

Tracks and signs:

• Pup tracks: Drag marks on ice where the young have moved.
• Resting sites: Coastal rocks or skerries with faeces, hair, and body imprints.
• Droppings (scat): Black, often containing fish remains, found near haul-out sites.

Distribution:
The grey seal occurs in the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and North Atlantic. In Sweden, the population is estimated at over 50,000 individuals and continues to increase following the reduction of environmental toxins in the 20th century.

Hunting:
Hunting of grey seals in Sweden is strictly regulated. The County Administrative Boards set annual quotas for licensed and protective hunting to reduce conflicts with fisheries. Hunting is conducted from land or boats, usually near fishing gear, and requires special permits.

Firearm class (Sweden):
Hunting grey seals requires a class 2 rifle with expanding bullets.

Think for the hunting exam:

• Largest seal species in Sweden.
• Recognised by long nose and spotted grey fur.
• Lives along the Baltic Sea coast.
• Feeds mainly on fish such as herring and cod.
• Gives birth to one pup (“kut”) per year.
• Hunting allowed only with permit, class 2 rifle.