Do seals eat certain types of fish?

Seals are opportunistic feeders, meaning they eat whatever is most readily available. However, their diet does generally consist of fish, with some variations depending on the species of seal and its location.

Here are some examples:

Harbor seals: These seals prefer bottom-dwelling fish like cod, flounder, and haddock. They also eat squid, shrimp, and crabs.

Grey seals: These seals are known to eat a wider variety of fish, including herring, mackerel, salmon, and even sharks. They also eat octopus, squid, and crustaceans.

Harp seals: These seals primarily feed on arctic cod and other fish found in the Arctic Ocean.

Leopard seals: These seals are apex predators and have a diverse diet that includes penguins, fish, squid, and even other seals.

Other seals: Other seal species like Weddell seals, Ross seals, and crabeater seals also have their own specialized diets.

It's important to note that the availability of prey varies greatly depending on location, season, and environmental factors. This impacts what seals are able to eat.

So, while seals primarily eat fish, the specific types of fish they eat can vary significantly.