They have heads resembling human males and the bodies of horses. They can fly for short distances but have no wings. They will harm children, crops, animals and human babies. They are always looking out for newborns to steal. They are seaside faeries that appear as seals with some human characteristics.
Legend says that they can shed their sealskins and appear in perfect male or female forms.
It is also said that if the shed sealskin is retrieved before the selkie can return to it, the faerie must remain a bound prisoner of he who possesses it's skin. It was once believed that they could control the coastal storms. They are male and female children who look exactly like humans only somewhat smaller. They are warrior like in temperament, but fair and just. They are the typical Heroic Fairies, enjoying the pleasures and occupations of the medieval chivalry.