Seals

Definition of Seals as it relates to Animals, Marine Life, Marine Mammals, MarineMammals

Seals are marine mammals characterized by their streamlined bodies, flippers, and whiskered faces. They belong to the family Phocidae within the larger group of pinnipeds, which also includes sea lions and walruses. Seals are well adapted for life in water with their dense fur coats providing insulation against cold temperatures and sleek body shapes enabling them to swim efficiently. Unlike sea lions, seals lack external ear flaps and have a more rotund body shape. They are able to dive deep underwater, some species reaching depths of over 2000 feet, to forage on fish, squid, and crustaceans. Seals give birth on land or ice, with most species mating in the water. In the hierarchy of "Animals/Marine Life/Marine Mammals", seals fit as a subcategory within Marine Mammals. They are a diverse group of animals that inhabit various regions of the world's oceans, from the Arctic to Antarctica, and even in temperate waters. Seals play an important role in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey, and their populations reflect the health of these complex environments.

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