//-->. The species’ diet consists of deep-dwelling animals such as rays, skates, octopus, large fish, and squid, hence the deep diving! google_ad_height = 90; , Science Kids © | Home | About | Topics | Experiments | Games | Facts | Quizzes | Projects | Lessons | Images | Videos | Privacy | Sitemap | Updated: Apr 11, 2020. As the Earth’s surface warms up, the seal’s excessive blubber instead of protecting the animal from the cold, becomes a maladaptive characteristic. A seal's whiskers help it to detect prey in dark murky waters. A study conducted in Alaska confirmed that this Mum-pup recognition is even possible after a 4-year long separation. The coastal species are generally sedentary, but the oceangoing species make extended, regular migrations. Eared seals have visible ears. This site © 2020 to NPS Publishing. True seals include Harbor or Common seals, whereas the eared seals include the Sea Lions and Fur seals. NPSP also participates in affiliate programs with booking.com. 50 extinct species of seal have been discovered in fossils. They have four flippers, so are in a category of animals known as pinnipedia which means 'fin-footed'. Seals are found in most waters of the world, mainly in the Arctic and Antarctic but also in some areas of the tropics. All are excellent swimmers and divers—especially the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) of the Antarctic. A female seal or cow gives birth to only 1 pup once a year on land, and nurses the pup for about 4 days to a month. Seal hunting, or sealing, was so widespread and indiscriminate in the 19th century that many species might have become extinct if international regulations had not been enacted for their protection. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? They are considered the most formidable hunters of all seal species, and are the only ones that prey on warm-blooded animals. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Female Harbor seals have a life expectancy of 30 to 35 years, whereas Males only live for 20 to 25 years. Underneath all that blubber is a very versatile and hardy animal built to survive the planet’s harshest environments. Consequently, the Mediterranean Monk seal and the Hawaiian Monk seal, are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A seal’s mouth has many long whiskers on it. They will also swim upstream into large rivers, resting on mud flats, or on rocky coasts. The seal is a carnivorous mammal that usually feeds on fish, squid, shellfish, crustaceans or sea birds. Seals have a layer of fat under skin called blubber, which keeps them warm in cold water. Some seal species can hold their breath for nearly two hours underwater by slowing their heart beat and conserving oxygen. Seals gain speed by porpoising or gliding on the water’s surface to minimize resistance. These whiskers can sense movements and vibrations in the water, making seals highly effective hunters. Omissions? NPSP is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The ear of a seal is just a hole. Ten fun facts about Seals. There are 33 species of seal worldwide, two of which live around the British coastlines. The mother remains out of the water and does not feed while nursing the pups. 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. The pinnipeds group contains 3 families: phocidae, the earless or true seal (eg. google_ad_slot = "5655995158"; Read on to discover 50 facts about Seals. Researchers observed that pups would gain 3 to 5 pounds a day because of the Mum’s milk. Seals have been hunted for their meat, hides, oil, and fur. Hoover managed to learn how to say “Hey! Underneath all that blubber is a very versatile and hardy animal built to survive the planet’s harshest environments. Also, the fur of eared seals is more apparent, especially in sea lions. Updates? Elephant seals and monk seals were hunted for their blubber, which had various commercial uses. Hearing is greatly reduced when out of the water. They can be divided into two groups: earless, or true, seals and eared seals. Humans have traditionally hunted seals for their meat, blubber and fur coats, however seals are now protected by international law. This earless seal is endemic to Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia, and is the only exclusive freshwater ‘pinniped’ species. Here are 15 Fun Seal Facts to help you celebrate International Seal Day. Most form pairs during the breeding season, but in some species, such as fur seals, the gray seal (Halichoerus grypus), and elephant seals, males (bulls) take possession of harems of cows and drive rival bulls away from their territory. Seals possess a thick layer of fat (blubber) below the skin, which provides insulation, acts as a food reserve, and contributes to buoyancy. Each tight-knit colony can have thousands of members that come together to sunbathe, mate and raise their young. The blubber is a thick layer of fat or adipose tissue that stores energy, and increases the animal’s buoyancy. Whether it's 500 pages by your favourite author, or magazines on a shop shelf, paper plays a central and vital role within society. Wherever you are in the world you'll be surrounded by paper. Northern elephant seals can dive to depths of 1 mile (1.6km) beneath the sea. There are two types of seals: the earless, or true, seals (family Phocidae); and the eared seals (family Otariidae), which comprise the sea lions and fur seals. The seal’s fur is highly coveted in the fashion industry. Because the hind flippers cannot be moved forward, these seals propel themselves on land by wriggling on their bellies or pulling themselves forward with their front limbs. Fact 3 Seals are found throughout the world from Polar Regions to tropical waters. Seals range in size from about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) and 45 kg (100 lb) such as the earless Baikal seal and eared Galapagos fur seal, up to the 5 m (16 ft) and 3,200 kg (7,100 lb) southern elephant seal. They are fairly small, with little difference in size between the sexes. including fur seals, sea lions, and common seals. A male seal’s most conspicuous feature is his bulbous nose that comes with a proboscis, which is a sack-like appendage used to amplify grunts, snorts, and the seal’s loud drum-like bellow.
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