Sometimes breaches.

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Taxonomy and Evolution of Seals
Seals are mammals and all seals have evolved from terrestrial carnivores. Seals can be taxonomically divided into three groups:

Like whales they must breath air.  Unlike whales they have retained 4 limbs and have a pelt of fur.  All seals give birth on land or on ice.  They have a heavy layer of blubber (fat) which serves an insulation.  Fur seals also have a furry pelt for more protection.

All are able swimmers and can dive to considerable depths.  True seals cannot support their body on the hind legs and therefore use only the forelimbs when moving about on land.  Seals have a developed sense of smell which helps with identification of offspring and may be important in communication.

Most seals feed on fish.  Their diet also includes crustaceans, cephalopods, and other shellfish.  Seals are the favorite whipping boy of fishermen who think they are entitled to all the fish.  Seals have been hunted for food, pelts, and oil.  They are still hunted in some places by  Native Americans in Alaska and First Nation in Canada.

Seals of New England
Eight species are found in North Eastern Atlantic.  Of these only two are commonly seen in New England: Common or Harbor Seals and the Gray Seal.

Walruses are found only in the far north along the Greenland coast, Baffin Bay, and the Davis Strait. They primarily remain in drift ice and in coastal areas.  Global warming may impact them severely.

Other more northerly seals such as : Ringed, Harp, Bearded, Hooded Seals which usually live north of Nova Scotia, may from time to time wander into our area.  Sightings of these seals should be reported.

Seal Watching
A swimming seal is hard to identify.  The best time to see them is when they are hauled out on rocks or the beach. Seals haul out all year long, but spend more time ashore during the July and August molt.

Seals and all marine mammals should be left alone.  A lone seal pup is not abandoned.  The mother will return if you stay away.  Keep your dogs away from marine mammals.  Forcing the seals back into the water is against federal regulations.

There are many seal haul out spots along the coast.  Notable is the mouth of the Merrimack River at Salisbury Reservation which can been seen from the Newburyport Whale Watch.  There is a considerable colony at the Isle of Shoals which includes Gray Seals.

Common or Harbor Seals
The most likely seal to be seen in our  waters, the Harbor Seal is a small seal with a rounded head. The coat tends to be spotted.

Gray Seals
The Gray Seal is distinguished in the field by the long horse-like nose.

Gray Seals are found around the British Isles, Norway, Iceland and north of Nova Scotia.  Recently Gray Seals have been seen at the Isle of Shoals

 ¹ Guide to Marine Mammals of the World