With summer finally, beaches will be buzzing with activity \u2013 visitors will take a dip in the ocean or simply just stroll along the beach, but what if you encounter a beached seal? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well-known beaches in Cape Town, including Bloubergstrand and Sunset Beach, have seen many stranded seals in distress or dead over the years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cape of Goodhope SPCA recently shared a few tips you should know about seals before you approach them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeals are a part of the Pinniped family, being only partly aquatic, seals are able to spend up to 50% of their lives on land, which is a necessary adaptation for breeding and for \u2018recharging their batteries\u2019 by lying in the sun or avoiding treacherous sea conditions,\u201d the SPCA says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seals do not have gills and unlike other marine mammals, they do not have blowholes to inhale air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore all inhalation and exhalation happens through their nostrils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like humans, they are air-breathing mammals that inhale oxygen into their lungs and exhale carbon dioxide, the SPCA says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seals spend a lot of their time out of the water to digest their food and regain their strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A beached seal could simply be resting and there may not necessarily be anything wrong \u2013 so do not approach, or try to chase him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n