Which wildlife behavior is described as a typical response when a seal is disturbed?

• A. Glide away slowly
• B. Make a loud display
• C. Stampede into water
• D. Swim circles around you

Answer: (C)

When a seal is disturbed, its fastest, most natural reaction is to escape into the water as quickly as possible. That rapid retreat—bolting into the depths to get away from the disturbance—best fits the idea of a stampede into the water. Seals rely on quick dives to avoid threats, so you’ll often see a sudden splash as they disappear below the surface.

The other behaviors aren’t the typical first response to disturbance. Gliding away slowly implies a calm departure that doesn’t match the sudden, defensive escape seals use when startled. A loud display can happen if a seal feels threatened, but it’s not the usual immediate reaction. Circling around you would be more about curiosity or testing the situation than a standard flight response.

The key idea is to give seals space and back off gradually to prevent triggering a quick defensive retreat into the water.