While seals are occasionally sighted in Florida’s waters, they are not native or resident to the state. These rare occurrences happen because Florida’s warm, subtropical environment doesn’t align with most seal species’ typical habitat requirements. Knowing what to do if one is encountered helps ensure the well-being of both the animals and the public.
Florida’s Lack of Resident Seal Populations
Seal species generally prefer colder waters, often found in polar, subpolar, or temperate regions. Their thick blubber layers insulate them against frigid temperatures. Many species also rely on ice floes or cold, rocky coastlines for breeding, resting, and molting. These conditions differ distinctly from Florida’s warm, shallow coastal waters and sandy beaches.
Florida’s marine ecosystem lacks the specific prey fish and cephalopod species that constitute the primary diet for many seal populations. The warm waters also do not support the cold-water upwellings that concentrate these food sources. The absence of suitable ice formations or secluded, cold-water rookeries prevents seals from establishing sustainable breeding grounds. These environmental and biological factors explain why seals do not naturally inhabit Florida.
How Seals End Up in Florida
Seals observed in Florida are almost always vagrants, meaning they are individuals found outside their typical geographic range. These rare sightings occur for several reasons, often related to disorientation or environmental factors. Some seals might become displaced from their usual migratory paths due to strong ocean currents or severe storms. Others might follow schooling fish unusually far from their normal feeding grounds, leading them into unfamiliar warm waters.
Sick, injured, or malnourished seals may also wander into Florida’s waters while seeking refuge or due to impaired navigation. Young seals, particularly those recently weaned, are sometimes less experienced hunters and navigators, making them more susceptible to becoming lost. Specific species like harp seals, hooded seals, and less frequently, harbor seals, have been documented as vagrants in Florida. These instances are isolated.
What to Do If You See a Seal in Florida
Encountering a seal in Florida requires immediate action to ensure the safety of both the animal and people. Maintain a significant distance, generally at least 50 yards (approximately 45 meters), from the animal. Approaching too closely can cause stress, potentially leading to aggressive behavior or causing it to abandon its resting place prematurely. Disturbing the animal can also hinder its recovery if it is sick or injured.
Never attempt to feed a seal or offer it water, as human food can be detrimental to its health and alter its natural foraging behaviors. Do not try to touch, herd, or pour water on the seal, even if it appears to be in distress. Seals are wild animals and can inflict serious bites, which carry bacteria. These actions can also impede rescue efforts by trained professionals.
Reporting the sighting to the appropriate authorities is the most helpful step. Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or a local marine mammal stranding network immediately. Providing details such as the exact location, the seal’s appearance, and any observed behaviors will assist responders in assessing the situation. Seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill them.