Can you see him?
During a walk along a UK beach this past September, Drustan Ward paused when he spotted a pair of eyes peeking out from a rock pool.
Unsure if the animal was stranded, Ward took a photo and sent it to experts at British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).
The BDMLR team reviewed the photo and blinked in surprise. While Ward immediately recognized the seal, it was more difficult to spot once captured on camera. “This curious little fella took us a minute to find,” BDMLR shared on Facebook. “But once you do, he’s pretty easy to see!” The seal’s ability to blend in was a good sign, meaning its natural camouflage was working well.
“Like many animals, seal camouflage helps them blend into their surroundings and avoid predators,” a BDMLR representative explained to The Dodo. “Different seals have unique camouflage depending on their environment.”
The presence of the seal in the rock pool didn’t raise any alarms. BDMLR noted that seals often use these pools to stay cool or find food. However, in some cases, the pools can be hazardous.
“Though rare, some seals can get trapped in rock pools if the rocks surrounding them are too high for the seal to climb over,” the representative said. “In such cases, we monitor the seal until the next high tide, which will allow it to swim out as the water level rises.” After assessing the situation, BDMLR sent marine mammal medic Lizzi Larbalestier to ensure the seal was safe. Larbalestier confirmed that the seal was healthy and not in distress.
“It was determined that the seal was happy and healthy,” the representative said. “The rock pool also had easy access, so the seal could come and go freely, ruling out any concerns about it being stuck.”
Experts hope this story serves as a reminder that seals don’t live in the sea alone. They spend a significant amount of time on land to rest, digest food, and even give birth.