Analysis of Changes in Seal Life Habits under the Background of Global Warming

Seals (Phoca vitulina) are pinniped marine mammals inhabiting temperate and cold coastal waters of the Northern Hemisphere. They have a fusiform body shape, a thick subcutaneous fat layer, and feed primarily on fish and shellfish. According to the species archive of the Mammal Society of the UK, seals forage at sea but regularly haul out on rocky shores or intertidal sandbanks to rest, give birth, and nurse their pups; adult seals exhibit high site fidelity, returning to the same haul-out sites year after year. The book The Natural History of Seals further indicates that seals' sensory systems, foraging methods, and reproductive behaviors are highly adapted to the aquatic environment. This study conducts a comparative analysis of changes in seal life habits under global warming. By integrating literature analysis, GPS satellite tracking, stable isotope diet analysis, and population dynamic models, this paper compares migratory routes, dietary composition, and reproductive success of seals across gradients of habitat loss. The results show that habitat loss forces seals to extend migration distances and shift to lower-quality food, leading to declining body condition and an average annual decrease in reproductive rates. Current behavioral adaptations are insufficient to offset environmental stress, and long-term climate warming will continue to threaten the survival of wild seal populations.