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Sep 26, 2024 · Seals are carnivore s, eating mainly fish, though some also consume squid, other mollusk s, and crustacean s. Unlike other seals, the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) of the Antarctic feeds largely on penguins, seabirds, and other seals, in addition to fish and krill.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Jul 16, 2024 · Read on to learn about the diverse food sources that power these marine mammals, their unique hunting techniques, and how human activities impact their feeding strategies.
Sep 16, 2023 · Being at the apex of their food chain, seals have an essential role to play in the marine ecosystem. These large marine mammals feed on a vast range of organisms, thus maintaining the existence of an ecological balance.
Seals are pinnipeds, a group of animals with three separate families—phocidae (eared seals), otaridae (non-eared seals), and odobenidae (walruses)—that are the only mammals that feed in the water and breed on land.
Yes, seals consume a variety of prey items other than fish, including squid, krill, and crustaceans. Some species of seals may also consume birds or marine mammals. How do seals typically hunt and eat their prey? Seals typically hunt by swimming through the water and using their keen senses to locate prey.
Sharks, orcas, and polar bears prey upon seals as a main source of food. One polar bear must eat up to 19 baby ring seals every 10 to 12 days to maintain its body weight. In the Pacific Northwest, some orcas feed exclusively on fish while others predominantly eat seals and sea lions.
Mar 22, 2021 · Like all marine mammals, seals and sea lions get all the water they need from their food. Their bodies are very efficient at removing and recycling water from their food. They avoid drinking sea water; if a seal or sea lion drinks too much sea water it can become seriously sick.