Seals The Fin-Footed Marine Mammals
Seals are semi-aquatic marine mammals that belong to a group called pinnipeds, meaning fin-footed. They have four flippers that help them swim and move on land. They are divided into three families: one with ears (fur seals and sea lions), one without ears (true seals), and one with tusks (walrus). They live in various regions of the world, but mostly in cold waters. They have a well-developed sense of smell and a layer of fat called blubber that helps them survive without eating for long periods. They eat a variety of fish and other sea animals, but not on land. They are preyed upon by large predators like polar bears, orcas, and sharks.
Evolution and Diversity
Seals are related to bears, skunks, and badgers. They evolved from land-dwelling carnivores that went through a freshwater-dwelling phase during their transition to the ocean. The earliest pinnipeds date back to the late Oligocene (27-25 million years ago) period, and there were more than 50 species at one point in time. Today, there are 33 species of pinnipeds, ranging in size from the gargantuan southern elephant seal, which can weigh more than a pickup truck, to the relatively slender, 100-pound Baikal seal. The only freshwater seal is the Baikal seal, which lives in Lake Baikal, a freshwater lake in Siberia.
Behavior and Communication
Seals spend much of their life in water, but they mate, give birth to babies and take care of them on the shore. They live in huge colonies with over thousand seals. Mothers and pups bond with a unique call that they can recognize among the crowd. Seals produce milk with 50% fats, which helps the pups grow quickly. Seals can also communicate with body language, such as head movements, postures, and facial expressions.
Seals have many well developed whiskers, much like a cat. They can use their whiskers to feel vibrations from swimming prey. Blind seals in the wild seem to be able to hunt and feed without sight. Seals also have excellent hearing, especially underwater. Some seals can hear higher frequencies than others, depending on their family. Seals can also hold their breath for up to two hours and dive to depths of more than 6,500 feet looking for food.
Conservation and Threats
Seals are protected by various laws and treaties that prohibit hunting, killing, or harming them. However, they still face many threats from human activities, such as fishing nets, pollution, habitat loss, climate change, and illegal trade. Some seals are also endangered or vulnerable due to low population numbers or restricted distribution. For example, the Mediterranean monk seal is one of the most endangered mammals in the world, with only about 500 individuals left.
Seals are fascinating animals that play an important role in the marine ecosystem. They are also charismatic and cute creatures that attract many people’s attention and admiration. By learning more about seals and their needs, we can help protect them and their habitats for future generation