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Sep 26, 2024 · seal, any of 32 species of web-footed aquatic mammals that live chiefly in cold seas and whose body shape, round at the middle and tapered at the ends, is adapted to swift and graceful swimming. There are two types of seals: the earless, or true, seals (family Phocidae); and the eared seals (family Otariidae), which comprise the sea lion s and ...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Sep 29, 2022 · The closest living relatives to seals are bears, and seals separated from them about 60 million years ago. A large grey harp seal lays on an ice pan with its face and body covered in snow. Seals, also called pinnipeds, aren’t just mammals but belong to a special group called marine mammals.
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- Seals have been hunted since antiquity. They were and in some cases still are hunted for their fur which is especially true of their pups. They’re...
- According to the IUCN, there are 36 species of pinnipeds. Some of these species have subspecies.
- Seals are found mostly in the polar regions, though there are a few, such as monk seals, that are found in warmer waters such as the Mediterranean....
- Pinnipeds are carnivores, as they eat only animals such as krill, squid, fish, penguins, and smaller seals, including the pups of other species.
- They are not really dangerous to humans, but some are more aggressive than others, especially during the breeding season or if they are hungry. At...
- Some species of pinniped do migrate. Indeed, the northern elephant seal’s migration is the longest of any mammal. Males swim 13,000 miles, and fema...
- Pinnipeds need to molt from time to time because their fur doesn’t keep them warm but just protects them from injury and getting burnt by the sun’s...
- The lifespan of a seal depends a lot on the species, but as mammals, seals can live a long time. The gray seal can live for over 30 years, the Gala...
Nov 24, 2023 · Seals are a group of marine mammals classified under the order Carnivora. There are various seal species, with approximately 32 recognized types, divided into two main families: Phocidae (true seals) and Otariidae (eared seals, including sea lions and fur seals).
- Sea lions, seals, and walruses all belong to the Pinniped order, so they do have a lot of similar features to one another. However, differences in...
- With so many species of seals, it’s no wonder that their lifespan varies greatly. Some of the smaller species may live for as long as 30 years, whi...
- If you’ve ever seen a seal’s head bobbing up and down in the water, eyes closed, there’s a good chance it’s sleeping. They’re able to float near th...
In general, marine mammals are larger than mammals on land, an adaptation that minimizes the area of skin in contact with the water. Elephant seals and Walruses can weigh up to 4 tons, and even the smallest seals are notably rotund.
Seals are semi-aquatic mammals, having adapted to life in the ocean. The bodies of true seals and walruses are shaped like a torpedo, with physical features like ears internalized and short flippers, which allows them to reach high speeds underwater, while that of a sea lion is more maneuverable and allows for better mobility on land due to ...
- Mammalia
- Chordata
- Carnivora
Dec 7, 2023 · Seals are semi-aquatic marine mammals belonging to the Pinnipedia suborder under the order Carnivora. They are spread across three families and consist of 33 species. The Phocidae family, also known as the true or earless seals, is one such group. It covers species like the hooded seal and leopard seal.
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Apr 12, 2023 · There are 33 living seal species in three families, including true seals, eared seals, and walruses. Seals are marine mammals, distinguished by their fur, mammary glands, and ability to breathe oxygen. The harbor seal is the most common species, with around 500,000 individuals in the wild.
