A grey seal in the Tyne at Wylam
The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) is found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a large seal of the family Phocidae, which are commonly referred to as “true seals” or “earless seals”. It is the only species classified in the genus Halichoerus. Its name is spelled gray sea lin the US; it is also known as Atlantic seal and the horsehead seal.