Males initiate behavior by chasing, playfully biting, and embracing females. Females respond, and the act of copulation usually takes place in the water. One male may mate with multiple females. Another possible reason for haul outs is protection from predators by being in a group. During haul outs, adult individuals do not make physical contact with each other and respond to touching angrily.
Younger seals interact with each other along the edges of the group and stay away from the adults.
Aggression is shown by growling, snorting, threateningly waving a foreflipper, and head-thrusting, which is a sharp, rapid retraction of the neck. Habitat Harbor seals bask and sleep on coastal islands, ledges, and beaches and sandbars that are uncovered at low tide. They stay close enough to water to facilitate feeding and mating. They can also be used in the production of jewelry and trinkets and as meat for mink feeding. In Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom, it is legal to shoot harbor seals to protect fisheries or fish farms.