Along the mainland, they occur primarily on secluded rocks and beaches. Peak harbor seal populations on land occur during the species' spring breeding and pupping season and during the early summer molt. Following the breeding and pupping season, harbor seals disperse along the coast and spend more time at sea during fall and winter. Although harbor seals apparently do not migrate, movements of 15 miles or more are common. Other studies have documented use of several different beaches sometimes separated by more than 60 miles, by individual seals in a single season.
Harbor seals forage close to shore and are typically sighted in coastal waters.
They feed on a variety of marine and estuarine prey, including a number of species of fish, lamprey, octopus, squids, and shrimp. Selected Readings Bonnell, M.L., and M.D. Dailey. 1993. Marine mammals of the Southern California Bight. Status, Biology, and Ecology of Fur Seals. Proceedings of an International Symposium and Workshop, Cambridge, England, 23-27 April 1984.