What is a pinniped for kids?
Pinnipeds are the seals and their relatives, a group of semi-aquatic marine mammals. Like cetaceans, pinnipeds have a thick layer of blubber (fat) just under their skin: this blubber keeps them warm in cold waters and keeps them fed during times when food is not easily found.
Which pinnipeds have fur?
Almost all pinnipeds have fur coats, the exception being the walrus, which is only sparsely covered. Even some fully furred species (particularly sea lions) are less haired than most land mammals.
Where are pinnipeds found?
Today, there are more than 30 species of pinnipeds that can be found throughout the world from the Antarctic to Artic and around the equator. Pinnipeds can be further divided into three distinct families: Otariidae (sea lions, fur seals), Phocidae (earless seals), and Odobenidae (walrus).
Do seals have fur?
Fur seals and sea lions can rotate their hind feet and use them to walk along with some speed. Also, fur seals are so-named because they have thick fur that can trap air and help keep them warm. True seals have thin fur and use blubber for insulation.
Is a sea lion a walrus?
Sea lions and walrus belong to the same group of animals known as Pinnipeds. Walrus is the only living species in the Odobenus genus. Unlike the sea lions, walrus have tusks and whiskers. The tusk and stiff whiskers are the main features that differentiate a walrus from a sea lion.
Can Seals balance a ball?
Sea lions altered both whisker asymmetry and spread to help sense and control the ball during balancing. The size of the ball also affected whisker position, such that whiskers were positioned more forward on smaller balls and further back on larger balls.
What are the 3 families of pinnipeds?
Pinnipeds are separated into three groups: earless seals, eared seals and walruses. Sometimes referred to as earless seals or true seals, marine mammals in the phocid family can be easily identified by looking at their ears and flippers.
How many pinniped are there?
33 species
The pinnipeds are a group of 33 species of aquatic fin-footed mammals composing three families: the true seals (family Phocidae), the fur seals and sea lions (family Otariidae), and the walrus (family Odobenidae).
What do pinnipeds look like?
Pinnipeds are separated into three groups: earless seals, eared seals and walruses. Sometimes referred to as earless seals or true seals, marine mammals in the phocid family can be easily identified by looking at their ears and flippers. They have ear holes but no external ear flaps.
Is a seal related to a dog?
“Dogs and seals are not in the same family, however, and are not closely related. The family that compromises seals, Pinnipedia, split from other caniforms around 50 million years ago.” “Seals have dog-like skulls and dogs have seal-like mournful stares,” Cancellare adds.
Do sharks eat seals?
Sharks are opportunistic feeders, but most sharks primarily feed on smaller fish and invertebrates. Some of the larger shark species prey on seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals. Sharks have been known to attack humans when they are confused or curious.
