If a seal is disturbed while kayaking in coastal Maine, what is the likely behavior?

• A. Stampede into water
• B. Swim away calmly
• C. Ignore the disturbance
• D. Bark loudly at the animal

Answer: (A)

When a seal is disturbed by a kayak, its natural reaction is to escape quickly to safety. Seals view water as their refuge, so any sudden disturbance from a boat or paddle prompts a rapid retreat into the water, sometimes followed by a dive to depth. This flight response is more typical than calmly swimming away or ignoring the disturbance, and vocalizing at a kayak isn’t how seals usually respond. The key idea for paddlers is to give the animal space and ease away slowly to avoid stressing it.