Cystophora cristata

Seal Seal (s[=e]l), n. [OE. sele, AS. seolh; akin to OHG. selah, Dan. s[ae]l, Sw. sj["a]l, Icel. selr.] (Zo["o]l.) Any aquatic carnivorous mammal of the families {Phocid[ae]} and {Otariid[ae]}. [1913 Webster]

Note: Seals inhabit seacoasts, and are found principally in the higher latitudes of both hemispheres. There are numerous species, bearing such popular names as {sea lion}, {sea leopard}, {sea bear}, or {ursine seal}, {fur seal}, and {sea elephant}. The bearded seal ({Erignathus barbatus}), the hooded seal ({Cystophora cristata}), and the ringed seal ({Phoca f[oe]tida}), are northern species. See also {Eared seal}, {Harp seal}, {Monk seal}, and {Fur seal}, under {Eared}, {Harp}, {Monk}, and {Fur}. Seals are much hunted for their skins and fur, and also for their oil, which in some species is very abundant. [1913 Webster]

{Harbor seal} (Zo["o]l.), the common seal ({Phoca vitulina}). It inhabits both the North Atlantic and the North Pacific Ocean, and often ascends rivers; -- called also {marbled seal}, {native seal}, {river seal}, {bay seal}, {land seal}, {sea calf}, {sea cat}, {sea dog}, {dotard}, {ranger}, {selchie}, {tangfish}. [1913 Webster]