Yaquina Head: A Seal's Suite Today a permanent colony of 50-100 Pacific harbor seals can be seen year-round at Yaquina Head . The
offshore rocks, availability of food and lack of regular predators make Yaquina a perfect "seal suite". In
the 1970s and '80s, seals did not find Yaquina Head such a hospitable home due to human impacts.
With your help, Cobble Beach will continue to provide a home for harbor seals for years to come.
Off-shore Rocks: Although harbor seals are ocean dwellers, these marine mammals spend part of their
lives on land. Yaquina Head's near shore rocks and islands provide important haul-out habitats. Seals
haul-out (come onto land) to rest, give birth and keep warm. With water temperatures ranging from 46 to
64°F, basking in the sun helps seals reduce heat loss and maintain their body temperature.
At Cobble Beach seals are often seen laying on the rocks when the tide is out, or swimming in the cove
during high tide. During late spring and early summer, seal pups are born on the rocks and often haul­
out, along with their mothers, to nurse. You might think the rough rocks would hurt the seals' bellies, but
unlike us, their thick layer of body fat called blubber provides plenty of protection.
Food: The cold Pacific waters are nutrient rich with plankton. This plankton is the mainstay for many tide
pool creatures that inhabit Cobble Beach. The tide pool animals such as mussels, urchins, barnacles and
other small invertebrates become food for larger animals-fish, octopus, squid and crabs, who in turn be­
come food for seals.
Seals, along with sea lions and walruses are classified by scientists as pinnipeds, meaning fin-footed. All
pinnipeds are excellent divers, have a thick layer of insulating blubber, four flippers, and use specialized
whiskers called vibrissae to feel for prey while hunting underwater.
Predators: Like many animals,
harbor seals are both predator and
prey. Typical predators of harbor
seals include orca whales and
great white sharks-neither of
which is common along Oregon's
Central Coast. The rock-protected
waters surrounding Yaquina Head
offer even more protection to the
seals.
Protection-You Can Help
Where to See Seals Protection: Yaquina Head is a protected home
for harbor seals. The headland's coastal islands
and rocks are part of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service's Oregon Islands National
Wildlife Refuge Complex. These areas are
closed to public entry to prevent the disturbance
of sensitive wildlife and their habitats.
When and Where to Look:
Around low tide, look for seals on the offshore
rocks and islands at Cobble Beach. During high
tide, seals can often be seen swimming at the
southeast end of Cobble Beach and/or hauled­
out on the near shore rocks in Quarry Cove.
Yaquina Head: A Seal's Suite Additionally, under the Marine Mammal
Protection Act, it is illegal to harm, touch, feed,
or harass any marine mammal. Harassment is
defined as any action that causes a change in
the animal's normal behavior.
What to Look For:
Harbor seals look like sausage-shaped mounds
against the dark, basalt lava rocks. When
hauled-out they may assume a banana-shaped
profile (head and rear flippers raised). They can
also be seen in the water with their heads just
above the water and nose pointed up in a
resting position called "bottling."
Mothers leave their pups on the
beach while they hunt. If you see
a pup, immediately notify a
ranger. Never touch or approach
a pup on the beach; it is illegal
and may prevent shy mother
seals from returning to their pups.
How to Help: You can help keep Yaquina Head a
great place for seals to live by observing the
following etiquette:
• Soft Voices - Loud voices and abrupt
movements may scare resting seals off of the
rocks.
• Keep your distance - It is dangerous and illegal
to approach marine mammals. View seals from a
distance of 50 yards or more to prevent causing
the animal stress or disrupting their normal
behaviors.
• Pets - Keep dogs on a leash and quiet; inquisitive pets may startle seals. © Sea Grant Oregon
• Leave pups alone - Mothers will eventually return to care for their pups. + More Help -Contact a Yaquina Head Ranger,
or
call the Oregon State Police hotline 1-800-452-7888.
Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area 750 NW Lighthouse Drive Newport, Oregon 97365 541-574-3100