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Incredible moment grey seal SPITS a jet of water at an eagle to stop it snatching fish during unusual 'first of its kind' battle on the Isle of Wight

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A grey seal has been caught spitting a jet of water at an eagle to stop it snatching fish during unusual 'first of its kind' battle. 

Birdwatcher Clare Jacobs managed to capture the rare encounter at Newtown Harbour on the Isle of Wight.

Experts say the spitting tactic is a defensive strategy deployed by the grey seal to prevent the white-tailed eagle from snatching fish.

The seal and the eagle, both predators, are in direct competition for fish.

Ms Jacobs said the eagle started to swoop down towards the water at Newtown Harbour but as it made its approach the seal emerged from the surface directly beneath it and delivered the jetstream.

Birdwatcher Clare Jacobs managed to capture the rare encounter at Newtown Harbour on the Isle of Wight

 Birdwatcher Clare Jacobs managed to capture the rare encounter at Newtown Harbour on the Isle of Wight

Ms Jacobs said the eagle started to swoop down towards the water at Newtown Harbour but as it made its approach the seal emerged from the surface directly beneath it and delivered the jetstream

Ms Jacobs said the eagle started to swoop down towards the water at Newtown Harbour but as it made its approach the seal emerged from the surface directly beneath it and delivered the jetstream 

The seal and the eagle, both predators, are in direct competition for fish

The seal and the eagle, both predators, are in direct competition for fish

Megan Jacobs, is a palaeontologist from the University of Portsmouth's School of the Environment, Geography, and Geosciences said: 'Sightings of grey seals and white-tailed eagles are frequent events now on the Isle of Wight, but interactions between these two species have so far not been reported'

Megan Jacobs, is a palaeontologist from the University of Portsmouth's School of the Environment, Geography, and Geosciences said: 'Sightings of grey seals and white-tailed eagles are frequent events now on the Isle of Wight, but interactions between these two species have so far not been reported'

Experts say the spitting tactic is a defensive strategy deployed by the grey seal to prevent the white-tailed eagle from snatching fish

Experts say the spitting tactic is a defensive strategy deployed by the grey seal to prevent the white-tailed eagle from snatching fish 

About Grey Seals
  • The grey seal is the larger of the two UK seal species. 
  • These mammals spend most of their time out at sea feeding on fish, only returning to land to rest.
  • Grey seals give birth to fluffy white pups in the autumn. These pups stay on land until they have lost their white coats and trebled their body weight.
  • Despite numbers dropping to only 500 in the early 20th century, it's estimated that there are now more than 120,000 grey seals in Britain, representing 40% of the world's population and 95% of the European population.

 

Ms Jacobs said: 'I'm always thrilled to catch photos of the eagles. But catching such a rare and never before seen interaction made my year.'

Her daughter, Megan Jacobs, is a palaeontologist from the University of Portsmouth's School of the Environment, Geography, and Geosciences.

She said: 'Sightings of grey seals and white-tailed eagles are frequent events now on the Isle of Wight, but interactions between these two species have so far not been reported.

'This is the first record of an interaction between these two top predators and the first report of grey seals using spitting as a means of defence or deterrence against an aerial foe.

'The spitting may be a strategy to exclude white-tailed eagles from competing for prey as they're in direct competition for fish resources.'

White-tailed eagles, the largest of all European eagles, can achieve a maximum wingspan reaching 2.6 metres (8ft 6ins).

Megan added: 'Spitting is an unusual behavioural activity among vertebrates, which is why this event is so fascinating - it challenges our existing perceptions of animal defence mechanisms.

'I'm thrilled we've got photographic evidence as spitting is usually just seen in humans, camels, llamas and alpacas, as well as some snakes where it's used for venom delivery, and it can also be used for prey capture by the Archer fish.'

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