Those cute and cuddly seals can be deadly; stay away
Fans of old Monty Python movies might recall a scene from the "Search for the Holy Grail" where a small band of medieval knights were told not to enter a cave because it was inhabited by a "horrible monster with big fangs that will rip you to shreds!"
But, after cautiously peeking over some rocks near the cave's entrance, the knights only saw a little white rabbit. Naturally the well-armed (and well-armored) knights scoffed at the thought that the cute little bunny could possibly do them harm, and they proceeded to the cave.
Of course, in true Monty Python form, the horrible-hare immediately attacked and ripped the knights to shreds, prompting the fellow who warned the knights about the killer rabbit to remind the survivors, "See, I told you so!"
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While it was laughable that something so cute and cuddly could actually be so horribly lethal, here on Delmarva we actually have a real form of adorable little critter that might seem almost "huggable" until you get too close and end up in the hospital.
The fuzzy little seal pups that often end up on Delmarva's beaches, particularly in the winter months, are anything but harmless little "teddy bears" waiting to be caressed and loved by good natured people who encounter them lying on the sand.
Seal pups may be cute, but they're not "harmless," and anyone who might be tempted to get a little too close to these offseason visitors to our coastline should seriously consider the hazards they might be subjecting themselves to.
With huge canines and a full set of back-teeth that are multi-cusped, overlapping and angled backward, seals have a set of chompers that any dog would envy. And when threatened, seals won't hesitate to effectively use their teeth and jaws in defense.
As if the damage by a bite wouldn't be bad enough, seals can also carry infectious bacteria and conditions that can be transmitted to humans. In fact, seals don't even have to bite someone to make them sick.
Seals often succumb to ailments that can be transmitted directly to humans who have had contact with them just by touch. Also, when sick seals come ashore they often contaminate the sand around them with blood and fluids that ooze from open lesions and fecal matter. Not a pretty sight, and not exactly a healthy environment!
Many people don't realize that in the winter months a lot of seals extend their range by moving south and taking up residence in the waters off the Delmarva Peninsula. There are actually a lot of seals out there, but they're seldom seen because they rarely come ashore, and if they do it's often because they're sick.
Consequently, if someone encounters a seal on the beach there's a better than average chance that it's got a problem. And it's not going to be the kind of problem that an "average Joe" with good intentions, a big heart, and a dose of TLC will be able to even remotely make better.
A sick seal requires very specialized care that can only be properly administered by veterinarians specifically trained and equipped to work on such animals.
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Whether they think it's sick or not, the very best thing someone can do if they encounter a seal on the beach is stay at least 50 yards away and immediately contact the proper authorities.
If they really wish to help the animal they can assist it by keeping other people and pets away from the it until the proper support arrives. To report a seal on one of Maryland's beaches folks should call Maryland DNR at 800-628-9944, in Delaware call the Marine Educational Research and Rehabilitation Institute (MERR) at 302-228-5029.
I wouldn't exactly say that seals are "horrible monsters that'll rip you to shreds" but, like the little white bunny in the Monty Python movie, anyone so foolish as to be lured in too close by their "cuteness" could be in for a painful surprise, a trip to the doctor, and a big "see I told you so" from me!