The Grey seal is the largest of the two seals seen around the UK coast. The UK has over 40% of the worlds population, about 120,000.
Around the Welsh coast there is approximately 6,500
Grey Seals are protected by law
Grey seals are larger and darker with a distinct 'Roman' shaped nose, with parallel nostrils. The females 'Cows' (above) have unique blotches on the coats Pelage, and these are used for identification.
Females are smaller than the males 'Bulls' (top photo). Females grow to between 1.6 to 2 meters in length, and can weigh up to 250kg. While males can grow to over 2 meters, and weigh up to 350 kg.
Cwmtydu and the surrounding beaches are in the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which protects the wildlife found in around 1000 kms of the sea.
Seal facts
Females give birth to a single white coated pup in the autumn.
The pups are born weighing about 13kg and are dependant on their mothers for milk, which is high in fat (40%), and aim to triple their weight in the first couple of weeks.
Pups can swim but need to stay close to Mum, and not be in the water too long, due to their white coats becoming waterlogged.
They look cute but BEWARE they have teeth and will BITE!
Seals are mammals , they breathe air, and give birth on land.
They are capable of holding their breath when diving for food. Usual dives are about 8 minutes but can be longer. They are able to do this by building up an 'oxygen debt'. Seals have a complex set of blood vessels, which under pressure can serve the brain alone.
They can drop their heart rate down to 40 beats or less per minute. Their muscles also contain large amounts of Myogloblin. All this goes to prepare seals to dive without the need to breathe.
Seals rest by hanging vertically in the sea, known as 'bottling', or hauled out on favorite rocks or beaches. They are in their element in the sea, where they spend most of their time.
They are opportunist feeders, Sand eels, Cod and Herring, and will take various fish, which sometimes leads to conflict with fishermen.
