Underwater grey seal on a basswood round measuring 4in diameter

Seals typically don’t rely on eyesight underwater, they rely on their super sensitive whiskers called “vibrissae.” These vibrissae are packed with nerve endings at their base and allow seals to “see” underwater when visibility is poor or they’re in the deep dark ocean without light. These sensory organs are crucial in their ability to navigate the world around them and extended vibrissae can be a telltale sign when a pinniped is curious or interested.