Would a real "wild" seal be dangerous?

Question

In california, there is a beach where you can see around 10 seals on the sand. There are viewing areas around the seals on the beach. They are there to rest.

However, they don't let us near them. Could the seas be dangerous? Could they hurt someone?

Answer 1

Well in california I've only seen sea lions not seals, also depending on what species it is but all seals and sealions can be dangerous.

Answer 2

Yes, wild seals can be dangerous...any wild animal can be.  If you get near a pup, the parents can be very aggressive and attack.  There is also an area in California where during mating season you can watch male Elephant Seals fight over mates.  It gets very bloody and the males end up scarred for life from the fights.  

Answer 3

they don't let you near them because the seals are resting. they won't be resting if they are disturbed by humans. However, they are also sometimes on the beach to breed - so if you get too close, you might be attacked by a mother who is afraid you are too close to her cub, or, much worse, attacked by a male who is hopped up on testosterone and decides you are in his way or a rival to be driven off - they look slow, but they aren't that slow, and you do not want to be in the way of a half ton of male seal or sea lion, whichever. so, yea, they can hurt you. I've seen video of a male seal destroying a car it decided was invading its "beach"

Answer 4

During mating seasen. Youed be trampled by a bull elephant seal.