Seal

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Basics

Basics Seals (pinnipeds) are semi-aquatic mammals that feed in water and breed on land. They’re divided into earless seals (Phocidae) and eared seals (Otariidae: sea lions, fur seals). There are 33 species, ranging from the small Baikal seal to the massive southern elephant seal.

Habitat & Distribution

Found worldwide, often in cold Arctic and Antarctic waters.
Some live in open oceans, others near coasts, ice floes, or islands.
Baikal seal is unique: it lives in freshwater (Lake Baikal, Russia).

Size & Diving

Size varies:

Baikal seal: 1.1–1.4 m, 50–130 kg.
Southern elephant seal: up to 6.5 m, 3,700 kg.
Elephant seals are record holders: 2,400 m dives and 100 minutes underwater.

Diet & Predators

Carnivores: mainly fish, squid, mollusks, and crustaceans. Leopard seals eat penguins, birds, and even other seals. Predators include polar bears, orcas, and sharks.

Adaptations

Blubber stores fat, insulates in cold waters, and aids buoyancy. Whiskers detect vibrations from prey. On land, seals “galumph” by flopping on their bellies.

Life Cycle & Behavior

Pups are born after an 11-month pregnancy. Mothers nurse with milk up to 50% fat; many fast while raising pups. Seals can sleep underwater and during dives; elephant seals manage on just 2 hours/day at sea. Mostly solitary, but gather in colonies for pupping and mating. Males (bulls) fight aggressively; females are called cows.