What distinguishes a seal from a sea lion?

Quck answer

Seals and sea lions both belong to the group of marine mammals called pinnipeds, but there are some differences between them. Sea lions are generally larger than seals and have visible ear flaps, while seals have small holes for ears. Sea lions also have longer front flippers that they use to walk on land, while seals move by wriggling their bodies. Seals are better adapted for swimming and diving, with streamlined bodies and webbed flippers. Overall, sea lions are more social and vocal than seals, often living in large colonies and barking loudly.

Wild Animals

Marine Mammals Image Gallery An Australian sea lion scratches its chin while sitting on the beach on Kangaroo Island. See more pictures of marine mammals.
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Seals, sea lions, and walruses are all part of the suborder Pinnipedia, which means “fin-footed” or “feather-footed”. However, seals and sea lions have some distinct differences. Seals and sea lions are closely related, but walruses are easy to tell apart. The terminology is also a bit confusing, as fur seals and sea lions are classified together, while seals with ears are called true seals. The breakdown of the Pinnipedia suborder consists of three families, which we’ll discuss in more detail later.

Despite these differences, all pinnipeds share some common features. They have short fur, varying in color and pattern, as well as four flippers and fine-tuned whiskers called vibrissae that work as tactile sensors. Pinnipeds are also social creatures, although they may sometimes need alone time. Baby seals and sea lions are called pups, while baby walruses are called calves. Pinnipeds can gestate in the womb for up to 16 months.

Pinnipeds are carnivores and eat crustaceans and clams. They have evolved from land animals similar to bears or weasels, eventually adapting to their marine environment and becoming semiaquatic.

So how can we distinguish between seals and sea lions? Seals have no external ear flap and move on land by wriggling on their bellies. They also have shorter flippers and a rounder body shape. Sea lions, on the other hand, have an external ear flap and can walk on land using their large front flippers. They also have longer flippers and a more streamlined body shape.

Although seals and sea lions share many characteristics, these subtle differences can help us identify which pinniped we’re admiring at the aquarium or beach.

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Seals and Sea Lions (and Walruses)

Arthur Morris/Visual Unlimited/ Getty Images

Seals and sea lions make up the suborder Pinnipedia, but there are a few important features that distinguish them. Seals have no external ear flap, move on land by wriggling, and have a rounder body shape. Sea lions have an external ear flap, can walk on land with their front flippers, and have a more streamlined body shape.

The article discusses the different types of pinnipeds, which are marine mammals that include true seals, sea lions, and walruses. True seals, or phocids, have no external ears and move on land by using their small and weak front flippers to wiggle forward, while using their powerful back flippers to swim in water. Sea lions and fur seals, or otariids, have external ear flaps and larger, hairless flippers that they can rotate to walk on all four appendages. Walruses, or odobenids, have no external ears and can move on land using their hind flippers, while using both their front and hind flippers to swim. Males can weigh up to 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. The article concludes by encouraging readers to learn more about these fascinating creatures of the sea.

Additional Information

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• Marine Mammal Quiz

More Useful Links

• AnimalPlanet.com
• Harry the Sea Lion
• SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information
• The Charles Darwin Foundation: Sea Lion Monitoring and Conservation
• The Marine Mammal Center

Sources

• “2007 IUCN Red List.” International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. 2007. (7/1/2008)http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/search-basic
• “Endangered Marine Mammals.” The Marine Mammal Center. (7/1/2008)http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/learning/education/mammalinfo/endanger.asp#top
• “Fur Seal.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. (7/1/2008)http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/222512/fur-seal
• Higden, Jeff et al. “Phylogeny and divergence of the pinnipeds (Carnivora: Mammalia) assessed using a multigene dataset.” BMC Evolutionary Biology. 11/9/2007. (7/1/2008)http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/7/216″
• Marine Mammal Classification.” The Marine Mammal Center. (7/1/2008)http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/learning/education/mammalinfo/classification.asp
• “Pinniped.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. (7/1/2008)http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/461139/pinniped
• “Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service’s Office of
• Protected Resources. (7/1/2008)http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/pinnipeds/
• “Seal.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. (7/1/2008)http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/530868/seal
• “Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses.” SeaWorld Education Department. (7/1/2008)http://www.seaworld.org/just-for-teachers/guides/pdf/s&sl-4-8.pdf
• “Sea Lion.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. (7/1/2008)http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/530626/sea-lion
• “Sea lions and seals–what’s the difference?” San Diego Zoo’s Animal Bytes. (7/1/2008)http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-sea_lion.html
• “The Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses.” The Marine Mammal Center. 1/2001. (7/1/2008)http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/learning/education/pinnipeds/pinnipeds.asp
• “Walrus.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. (7/1/2008) http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/635052/walrus
• “What’s the difference between a seal and a sea lion?” North Carolina Aquariums. 10/15/2005. (7/1/2008)http://www.ncaquariums.com/askaquarium/seal.htm

FAQ

1. What are seals and sea lions?

Seals and sea lions are marine mammals that belong to the group of pinnipeds. They are adapted to living in the water, but also spend time on land.

2. What is the main difference between seals and sea lions?

The main difference between seals and sea lions is in their physical appearance. Sea lions have visible ear flaps, while seals do not. Also, sea lions have long front flippers that they use to walk on land, while seals move on land by dragging their bodies with their back flippers.

3. What are some other physical differences between seals and sea lions?

Sea lions are generally larger than seals and have a more streamlined body shape. Seals have shorter, rounder snouts, while sea lions have longer, pointier snouts. Seals also have a layer of blubber that is thicker than that of sea lions.

4. What do seals and sea lions eat?

Both seals and sea lions are carnivores and feed on fish, squid, and other marine creatures. Some species of seals also eat krill and other small crustaceans.

5. How do seals and sea lions communicate?

Seals and sea lions communicate with each other through vocalizations, such as barks, grunts, and growls. They also use body language, such as head movements and postures.

6. Where do seals and sea lions live?

Seals and sea lions are found in different parts of the world, depending on the species. Some live in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, while others live in warmer waters closer to the equator.

7. How do seals and sea lions reproduce?

Seals and sea lions mate and give birth on land. The females nurse their young with milk and care for them until they are able to hunt and fend for themselves.

8. Are seals and sea lions endangered?

Some species of seals and sea lions are endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, overfishing, and hunting. It is important to protect these animals and their habitats to ensure their survival.

9. Can seals and sea lions be kept as pets?

No, seals and sea lions cannot be kept as pets. They are wild animals that require specialized care and a natural habitat to live in. Keeping them as pets is illegal and can be dangerous for both the animal and the owner.