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Nov 28, 2023 · One of the most obvious ways to distinguish seals from sea lions is by looking at the sides of their head. Sometimes referred to as true seals or “earless” seals, marine mammals in the phocid family, such as harbor seals, have ears and hear very well, but do not have external ear flaps.
Seals and sea lions are both carnivorous, feeding on a variety of marine life. However, their hunting techniques and prey preferences differ. Seals are efficient swimmers and can dive deeper and for longer periods.
Sea lions and fur seals (seals with thick fur that are more similar to sea lions than to true seals) are lumped together in the family Otariidae. True seals, on the other hand, are in the family Phocidae.
- Cydney Grannan
Oct 26, 2023 · Seals and sea lions both belong to a group of marine mammals called “pinnipeds”, meaning fin- or feather-footed in Latin. True seals have ear holes, but no ear flaps. Included in this group are species like the Harbour seal, Hawaiian Monk seal, Ringed seal and Harp seal.
Jun 16, 2024 · Sea lions (left) are brown, bark loudly, "walk" on land using their large flippers and have visible ear flaps. Seals have small flippers, wriggle on their bellies on land, and lack visible ear flaps.
Seals and sea lions are very similar marine carnivores, with a few handy differences. If you can get over the common naming fiasco for the eared seals, it’s as simple as checking for external flaps on the side of the head, but there are also other handy differences to know about.
Sep 27, 2024 · Basically, fur seals and sea lions are distinguished from true seals by body shape and social behavior. But fur seals are further distinguished from sea lions by the presence of a thick layer of fur (not just hairless blubber) to protect them from the cold water.