How to watch seals safely this school holiday

Seals can be spotted across all of the UK's coasts and can be a wonderful sight for nature lovers.

The UK has both common and grey seals, and conservation charity The Wildlife Trusts says Britain is home to 40% of the world's grey seal population.

These large, water-dwelling mammals appear to be very cute and harmless, but animal charity RSPCA warns it could be dangerous for the public to get too close to seals.

But there are ways to enjoy watching seals safely if you do fancy a trip to the beach, and you can find out more here.

What should you do if you see a seal?

The RSPCA say if a seal is watching you, you might be too close to them

The RSPCA told Newsround, "Seals are strong, powerful wild animals and can have a very nasty bite if they are disturbed or feel threatened."

They suggest it's best to keep a distance of at least 100 metres when you see seals in the wild, and ensure that dogs stay on leads.

Seals are usually on land for a reason and don't usually need help to return to the sea, the RSPCA says

The RSPCA also says that sometimes people mistakenly believe a seal on the land should be helped into the water.

"If you see a seal on land, please do not try to encourage them back into the water," an RSPCA spokesperson said.

"Baby seals are born on land, and are left on their own on land for long periods while their mothers feed in the water."

Seals come on land for many reasons such as digesting their food and feeding their babies.

But if you are worried about a seal, you can contact charities like the RSPCA or local animal rescue services for advice.