Behaviour of female and pup grey seals Halichoerus grypus during the breeding period at Froan, Norway

We studied the behaviour of grey seals, Halichoerus grypus , during the breeding period at Froan, Norway, and compared our findings with existing studies on grey seals at breeding sites in Britain and Canada. The pups at Froan spent more time in water than pups at other breeding sites. While on-shore, the pups at Froan spent most of their time resting, behaviour similar to pups at other breeding sites. Lactating females at Froan spent most of their time in the sea, thus differing from females at most other breeding sites which spend most of their time on-shore. While in the sea, the females at Froan spent most time diving, typically interrupted by regular periods of surface swimming.