British Seals

H. R. Hewer

• Publisher: William Collins
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9780007311118
• eBook ISBN: 9780007406463
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Zoology
• Index: Biological Sciences

A comprehensive account of the seal’s migratory patterns, methods of hunting and patterns of reproduction.

While seals are a perennial favourite among visitors to zoos for their playful and engaging behaviour, less is known about their actions in natural habitats. Based on extensive field observations, this thoroughly illustrated volume in The New Naturalist Series is one of the most authoritative studies of its kind. The late Professor Hewer shows how recent discoveries for determining the age of seals have greatly contributed to research in the subject and he presents a comprehensive account of the seal’s migratory patterns, methods of hunting for food, movements and patterns of reproduction. As the large colonies of seals indigenous to British waters constitute and important segment of the world’s seal population, Professor Hewer’s findings will be helpful to all interested in seal behaviour, and conservation.

Professor Hewer researched seal behaviour for over twenty years, did extensive field work in seals and published several articles on his findings. He was Emeritus Professor at the University of London and served with the British government’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Food.

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright
• Note to Readers
• Contents
• Plates
• Figures
• Editors’ Preface
• Author’s Preface
• 1. The Pinnipedia
• 2. The Grey Seal – Introductory
• 3. The Grey Seal – Age Determination, Longevity and Maturity
• 4. The Grey Seal – Reproduction
• 5. The Grey Seal – Annual Moult and Spring Behaviour
• 6. The Grey Seal – Feeding and Food; Pre-Breeding Assemblages
• 7. The Grey Seal – The Breeding Rookery: Cow and Pup
• 8. The Grey Seal – The Breeding Rookery: Bulls, Territory and Mating
• 9. The Grey Seal – Moulters, Dispersal, Marking Experiments and Later Movements
• 10. The Grey Seal – Population Dynamics, Mortality and Pregnancy Rates
• 11. The Common Seal – Introductory
• 12. The Common Seal – Reproduction, Pup, Moulting, Food and Numbers
• 13. Other Species of Pinnipede
• 14. Conservation of British Seals
• Picture Section
• Appendices:
• Footnotes
• Bibliography
• Index
• Acknowledgements
• About the Publisher