For the first time, scientists have witnessed a gray seal attacking a white-tailed eagle descending from the sky by spraying water at its foe.
Unprecedented interaction between gray seals and white-tailed eagles. (Photo: Clare Jacobs)
A study from the University of Portsmouth in England published in the journal of the Isle of Wight Archaeological and Natural History Society details the event that occurred at Newtown harbor, Newsweek reported on March 7th. A resident named Clare Jacobs captured a photograph that recorded the moment a white-tailed eagle swooped down to the water’s surface during high tide. Suddenly, the gray seal leapt from the sea and sprayed a jet of water directly at the predatory bird. This type of defensive behavior has never been observed or documented before.
According to the research, the gray seal had previously barked a warning at the eagle. However, the bird ignored it and continued its dive into the water. As a result, scientists had the opportunity to learn more about the interactions between these two predatory species.
The white-tailed eagle had become extinct on the Isle of Wight in the 18th century but was reintroduced in 2019 and has since thrived. Gray seals and white-tailed eagles are commonly found on the Isle of Wight, but this is the first time direct interaction between the two species has been observed, according to Megan Jacobs, a paleobiologist at the School of Environment, Geography and Geosciences at the University of Portsmouth.
The seal sprayed water as a defensive measure or to deter its airborne enemy. It may also have been a way to chase off the white-tailed eagle competing for prey like fish. “This interaction challenges our current understanding of defensive mechanisms in animals. I was very excited to see the photograph because the action of spraying water is typically only seen in humans, camels, and some venomous snakes, as well as anglerfish,” Megan stated.
