Seals, Sea Lions, and Walrus

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Seals, Sea Lions, and Walrus

• Members of the order Pinnipedia are nearly
  exclusively marine
• Pinnipeds include
• Seals
• Sea lions and
  fur seals
• Walruses

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Seals, Sea Lions, and Walrus

• Pinnipeds (fin-footed) evolved from a
  terrestrial carnivore
• They are predators, feeding mainly on fish and
  squid
• Streamlined bodies for swimming
• Thick layer of fat, or blubber for
  insulation, food reserves, and
  buoyancy

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Sea lions and fur seals vs. Seals
Sea lions and fur seals (Otariidae)
Seals (Phocidae)
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Seals

• Seals (earless pinnipeds family Phocidae) have
  19 representative species
• Rear flippers cannot be moved forward
• No external ear flap
• Claws (and fur) on flippers
• Short, robust neck

Photograph is property of the Riverhead Foundation
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Sea lions and fur seals

• Sea lions and fur seals (eared pinnipeds family
  Otariidae) have 15 representative species
• Rotatable hind flippers
• External ear flap
• Long, flexible neck
• No fur or claws on flippers

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Seals Found in Long Island waters
Hooded Seal
Harbor Seal
Harp Seal
Gray Seal
Ringed Seal
All photographs are property of the Riverhead
Foundation
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Sea Lions found in Long Island waters
X
http//www.atlantismarineworld.com/exhibit-outdoor
-sealion.html

• There are NO sea lions in the Atlantic Ocean, and
  therefore no sea lions on Long Island
• (except at local aquariums)

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Walrus

• Walrus (family Odobenidae) are large pinnipeds
  with a distinctive pair of tusks
• Both male and female have tusks can reach 1
  meter in length!
• Used for defense, and anchoring onto ice
• Strictly Arctic!
• Benthic-feeder feeds
  primarily on clams