Beachgoers were treated to the sight of two seals off Mollymook on Thursday morning. Although many thought one of the seals was trapped, it was thermo-regulating in shallow water.
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Thermal regulation is a completely normal behaviour, which seals can do for hours at a time.
Seals do this to regulate their body temperature, either to warm up or cool down, by using the sun or wind on their fore flippers and hind flippers or at times, both at the same time.
This can look like the animal has perished and is slowly floating ashore, but is not the case.
Swimmers are reminded to keep their distance from sea life and stay 40 metres away from seals.
If you are lucky enough to witness this natural behaviour please remember the following facts:
- Enjoy, photograph and watch these animals from a safe distance.
- Do not attempt to feed these animals.
- These animals are wild and can become aggressive if approached too closely or cornered.
- Please keep your dogs leashed whilst on any beach as this is a “shared environment” which is used by many marine species and all of which consider any and all dogs to be alpha predators.
Emily Barton
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
