Seals, Firth of Clyde
The climate of Ayrshire & Arran is relatively mild due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. Seals can often be seen in the Firth of Clyde.
The Common seal is roughly 1.5 to 2 metres long with the male (bull) weighing up to 250 kilograms and the female (cow) half of that. The sexes are similarly coloured, with a dark grey back and a lighter, mottled underside. Common seals can often be seen basking on rocky outcrops just off shore. They fish over a wide area, feeding on anything from shrimps to whole herring, and breed between June and July.
The Grey seal is around 2 metres long with the bull weighing in at up to 300 kilograms, and the cow a third less. The sexes are distinguishable in that the bull has a heavier muzzle and enlarged 'Roman nose'. The fur of both sexes ranges from dark brown to grey with light spots, though the cow is generally paler. They feed on all types of fish, plus crabs, squid and sandeels, and breed in the autumn.