Grey seal

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/grey-seal

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How many people live in Grey seal?Estimated global population exceeds 500,000 individuals, with significant regional variations
2. What is the scientific name?Halichoerus grypus
3. What is the lifespan?Up to 35 years in the wild
4. What does a grey seal look like?Grey seals are big, with a hook‑shaped snout, thick blubber, no external ear flaps, and strong flippers that help them swim fast.
5. Where do grey seals live?They live in the North Atlantic, on both the east and west coasts, using rocky shores, islands, and sandy beaches for resting, breeding, and molting.

Phocidae: The biological family of true seals, characterized by the absence of external ear flaps and their specialized adaptations for aquatic life.
Genus Halichoerus: The taxonomic genus containing only the grey seal, distinguished by its unique 'hook-nosed' morphology and specific ecological niche.
Indicator Species: A species whose presence, absence, or abundance reflects the health of its ecosystem, making it valuable for environmental monitoring.
Bycatch: The unintentional capture of non-target species, such as seals, in fishing gear.