The differences between "true seals" and "sea lions" True seals, such as elephant seals, differ from other pinnipeds in two easy-to-recognize ways. Difference in behavior and social structure. But seals' furry, generally stubby front feet thinly webbed flippers, actually, with a claw on each small toe seem petite in comparison to the mostly skin-covered, elongated fore flippers that sea lions possess. Scent is also an important way for mothers and pups to bond. Swimming with walruses is not recommended due to the potential danger that walruses can pose to humans. For some, it means hauling out of the sea in massive rookeries on shore, while for others it can mean finding a sturdy ice floe. Barking and trumpeting can alert an approaching male to steer clear of a claimed area, but if a male enters anothers territory fighting ensues. Historically, sea lions were hunted for their valuable pelts, which were used to make clothing and other goods. Walruses and sea lions both have distinct physical characteristics that make them easily recognizable. If you want to read similar articles to Seal vs. Sea Lion vs. Walrus, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category. For species that mate on free floating ice floes, females are usually spread out over large distances, so males only have the opportunity to mate with one female per season. Walruses are primarily found in the Arctic, whereas sea lions are found in the Pacific Ocean. At AnimalWised, we look at the differences between seal vs. sea lion vs. walrus. Unlike the sea lion, walrus relies more on the body for swimming like that of the true seals. The most notable anatomical differences are the ears and the flippers. Seals & Sea Lions. Seals and sea lions/fur seals differ in a number of ways, but here are four that are easy to spot. In 1961, Harry Goodridge, the harbormaster of Rockport Harbor, Maine, adopted an abandoned harbor seal found in the Penobscot Bay, Maine. Special adaptations help them retain as much freshwater as possible. Galapagos sea lions historically ate sardines as the main source of their diet. Fur seals, actually in the sea lion group, having extremely long hind flippers. Unlike seals, their long thoracic limbs can flex to move on land. They are found in sub-arctic to tropical waters in both hemispheres. Required fields are marked *. At the same time, their hind flippers angle backward and don't rotate. This can include practicing responsible wildlife viewing, reducing your use of single-use plastics and other pollutants, and respecting seasonal closures and other conservation measures. The lifespan of these interesting marine mammals ranges from 20 to 30 years. Last updated: 01/20/23 What is the difference between Walrus and Sea Lion? You have to get very close to see the tiny holes on the sides of a seal's sleek head. Have you ever wondered about the main differences between seals and their "second cousins," the sea lions? Columbus son wrote, As they were leaving that island they killed eight sea wolves which were sleeping in the sandthe animals are unaccustomed to men. The sea wolves were actually a species of seals known as the Caribbean monk seal, a species that is now extinct. Underwater, terrestrial animals become farsighted because the fluid of the eye and the water are too similar, the light doesnt bend enough so the image doesnt focus effectively. An account from 1707 tells of how a hundred seals were killed in one night. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. They are generally on the continental shelf and submerge at shallow depths. Are sea lions friendly? The largest seal is the Southern elephant seal (bigger than even the walrus) and the smallest is the ringed seal. When traveling long distances, sea lions are known to employ a swimming technique called porpoising. Since walruses lack fur, the rushing blood to the extremities causes the skin to turn a rosy red hue. Individuals may eat as much as 50 pounds of fish and squid daily. Sea lions and fur seals have long flippers. In 2011, storms and lack of ice-cover due to a warmer winter climate resulted in hundreds of seal pups being washed up on the shore of Prince Edward Island. Baby harp seals have an extra defense to keep warmtheir snow-white fur helps absorb heat from the sun. Some species exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning the two sexes look distinctly different from one another. They are also known to be highly territorial, especially during the breeding season, and will defend their space aggressively. In many species, males have evolved to be much larger than females, a characteristic called sexual dimorphism. What is the difference between magma and lava? Seals have shorter front flippers; sea lions have longer . As with sea lions, fur seals also have ear pinnae which mark them out from their true seal cousins. Seals, walruses, whales, otters, and others rely on the back end of their bodiestheir tailto produce thrust. In general, smaller pinnipeds will leave the shore during breeding to feed nearby, while larger pinnipeds will stick to shore throughout the entire breeding season and then make significant migrations to far away feeding grounds where they build up fat reserves. Finally, sea lions and fur seals are really noisy. Walrus are the largest pinnipeds, with some males registering over 3,000 pounds. They consume a large quantity of food at a time eat 5-8% of their body weight at a time that comes out to be around 6.8 - 15.9kg. Named Andre, the seal chose to stay with Goodridge and for the rest of his life he spent the warm seasons in Penobscot Bay. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Walruses have a thick layer of blubber to help insulate them from the cold Arctic waters, while sea lions have a more streamlined bodies to help them swim faster. Terrestrial animals, including humans, rely on the corneathe clear outer layer of the eyeto focus images using a property called refraction, a bending of light as it crosses through different materials. A harp seal pup rests on the ice at sunset in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Walruses, however, do not hunt prey in the water column but rather forage with their snouts in the mud for bivalves, like clams. in English from the University of Chicago in 2016. Today, the Hawaiian monk seal and Mediterranean monk seal are two of the most endangered seal species in the world. Pups in all species need to gain weight quickly. During the height of the Empire, Mediterranean monk seals were included in the elaborate parades and celebratory animal slaughtering in the Colosseum. In seals, the hair is generally abundant and coarse, making it more specialized for thermoregulation. (Copyright Brian Skerry/National Geographic Magazine), Centuries of human exploitation and habitat destruction have caused the remaining populations of Mediterranean monk seals (. But here is where the differences begin to arise. Many are pregnant from the last years mating season and within a few days they give birth. In many cases the male is also significantly larger than the females. They have an adipose layer of fat underneath their wrinkled skin which up to about 15 cm thick. A decrease in snow cover correlates to a decrease in seal pup survival. Both males and females possess tusks and their main function is to display mating and they also use them to defend themselves against other walruses. Seals, on the other hand, have no external ear flap but instead have ear holes. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Phocidae species can be called earless seals. Sea lions and fur seals belong to the group of eared seals, that have external ear flaps. Upon surfacing, it takes seconds for pinnipeds to resupply their bodies with oxygen. Visitors to areas where walruses are found should educate themselves about the local wildlife and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety and the safety of the animals. It is important to support and comply with conservation measures to help protect sea lions and their habitats. Using their vibrissae, pinnipeds can determine the shape of an object placed in front of their face and detect extremely subtle water movement. Sea lions have larger flippers with nails on the end, which they use for balance when walking on land. Today, there are 33 species. Comparison Table (Sea Lions vs Walrus) See also 5 Honest Difference Between Mouse Poop and Rat Poop with Similarities What is Sea Lion? Depending on the species, they live in polar, subpolar, temperate or tropical maritime regions. Not only do seals use hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecules in human blood, they also have a second molecule in their muscle tissue called myoglobin that also carries oxygen. Instead, the sea lion tail is used like a rudder. Climate may also change the types of food available to pinnipeds. Have students find at least two features that differ in seals and sea lions. By the turn of the 20th century Mediterranean monk seals were rare in the wild, a fact that made them even more desirable for zoos. What is the difference between parole and probation? She enters estrus, or heat, a reproductive state that advertises to the males that she is fertile. Walruses are large and powerful animals that can become aggressive if they feel threatened, and they have been known to attack boats and humans. However, there are important differences which can help us distinguish between a walrus, seal and sea lion. Seals and sea lions belong to a group of marine mammals called pinnipeds, which means fin or flipper-footed. Adjustments and some controversy has arisen over taxonomic classification of these animals. Walruses are opportunistic feeders and feed on a variety of prey, including clams, snails, shrimp, crabs, and other bottom-dwelling animals. Sometimes, however, pinnipeds need a way to cool off. They have flippers that enable them to move on land and while in water, walruses depend on the whole body to swim while sea lions have swim fins that enable them to swim. Some marine mammals are also able to survive for periods on land, something seals, sea lions and walruses all share. Most are ocean dwellers, living in places spanning from the Arctic, to the tropics, to Antarctica. Sea lions and walruses belong to the same group of animals known as pinnipeds. However, based on scientific research, it has been suggested that the latter be eliminated, leaving only two subspecies of walruses. However, if we look closer at marine mammals, we can see they have the fundamental characteristics of other mammal life. Finally, phocids are mammals adapted to swim very efficiently. Though able to move on both land and sea, pinnipeds are the most efficient underwater. In some species, pups can gain several pounds every day. Two sea lions interact amongst schools of small fish. Seals are larger than otters, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer. Once bonding has occurred, the female prepares to mate again. The Baikal seal, however, lives in a landlocked lake in the middle of Asia and is the only seal to live exclusively in fresh water. Flippered and charismatic, pinnipeds (which includes seals, sea lions, and walruses) are true personalities of the sea. They make very loud mating noises to attract attention. Sharks, orcas, and polar bears prey upon seals as a main source of food. Young ones of sea lions are called pups while young ones of walruses are called calves. For example, they have been known to charge boats, attack divers, and cause damage to fishing gear and other equipment. Sea lions/fur seals show external ear flaps; seals show only ear holes. An official website of the United States government. Oxygen deprivation is only one obstacle when it comes to divingpressure is also a problem that seals and sea lions have successfully worked around. What is the difference between nebula and a galaxy? Though the slaughter of seals for entertainment likely ended with the fall of the Roman Empire, the display of seals in travelling circuses around Europe continued through to the 1800s with handbills advertising them as talking fish, merman, or sea monsters. Like the walruses, these captives were usually young and didnt live for more than a couple of months. Others, like polar bears, are known for their furry torsos and enormous claws. Today, they remain creatures of both land and sea. They, too, died shortly after arrival, likely due to the diet they were fed by their captors. Most freshwater comes from a pinnipeds mealHarbor seals obtain about 90 percent of their freshwater from the fish they eat. But the first pinnipeds to be caught and taken from the Arctic for entertainment purposes were walruses. A female elephant seal fitted with a GPS tracking device. It is also important to note that in some countries, swimming with or approaching marine mammals, including walruses, may be illegal and subject to penalties under laws designed to protect wildlife. The main feature that makes sea lions be different from walruses is the size of their bodies. Walruses are especially vulnerable because they cannot stay in deep water for extended periods of time like seals. Remarkably, when the seals get low on oxygen they awaken in time to return to the surface. On land, there are also noticeable differences in movement between the two. They display sexual dimorphism. 3. (2005). This makes them fast in the water but basic belly crawlers on terra firma. Due to certain similarities, it is common for us to confuse the seal, the sea lion and the walrus with each other. They use their powerful tusks to dig through the mud and sand on the ocean floor in search of food. Sea lions and walrus are both winged foot animals but they differ in their body features and habitats. A single sea lion may consume several pounds of food in a single feeding session. They are 7 species of large marine mammals in the seal family. However, there is one exception; the Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica). European colonizers hunted these seals in earnest between the 1700s and the 1900s, with the seals blubber fetching a significant price in a world that ran on animal oil. What are sea lions hunted for? Extensive conservation efforts have been put in place to save this species, but food limitation, entanglement, new shark predators, and habitat loss all contribute to their inability to rebound. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists several species of sea lions as vulnerable or endangered, and hunting is generally prohibited in most countries where these species occur. In response to these declines, the hunting of walruses has been regulated and limited in many countries, including the United States and Canada, under laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Sea lions are characterized by a coat of short coarse hair that lacks a distinct undercoat. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Life at sea requires a powerful and streamlined body. California sea lions are social animals, forming groups of hundreds to thousands of animals that gather onshore to breed. The coloration is brown, but some individuals have yellowish tones. How can you tell seals sea lions and walruses apart? But as climate change has gradually warmed the region, these fish have become scarce. During his life Andre attracted significant news coverage, and later Paramount filmed a movie inspired by Andres story. Scientists refer to this motion as a clap. Sea lions are the only aquatic mammals that swim this way. They too are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of seasonal and regional variations in prey availability. Reliance on animals for survival required the Inuit to follow animals as they migrated, and Umiaqs helped move personal belongings and provided transportation for those unable to travel distances on their own, like children. Male walruses can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, while female walruses can weigh up to 1,500 pounds. In general, sea lions are voracious eaters and require a significant amount of food to sustain their large bodies. Sea lions are members of the Otariidae family while walruses are members of the Odobenus family, making them extremely different species. Males are larger than femalesin some species they can be up to four times larger. When mothers leave their pups to forage for food they must rely on their pups unique scent as a way to find them among all the other pups. The body shapes are identical but their physical features are different. This is a diverse group with many different Families, making it quite confusing when trying to distinguish between these different animals. Seals Vs Sea Lions Vs Walrus: What's The Difference? The greatest threat to the Mediterranean monk seal is human interaction. These are the main features that make the walrus appear different from the sea lions. Sea lions can be friendly and curious around humans, but they are wild animals and should be treated with caution and respect. This seal is endemic to Russia and lives in fresh waters. Once the food is ingested, pinnipedsretain the water for as long as possible. Some species spend the majority of their life in the oceanfemale northern elephant seals spend 66 percent of their time in the open ocean. - Lizard vs. Crocodile, Butterfly vs. Moth - Differences Between Moths and Butterflies, Coasts of the United States (including Hawaii). Pinnipeds have devised several ways to combat the cold. In other species, mom lives off her fat reserves and stays with her pup continuously until it is weaned. However, these sources of food are generally less important to their overall diet and are more opportunistically taken as they become available. Pinniped diets consist of mostly krill, fish, and squid. Covering the faces of pinnipeds are whiskers called vibrissae. Summary These physical differences help distinguish between the two creatures. This seal evolved specialized teeth with grooves that act like a sieve and filter the krill from the surrounding water. There are some species which are commonly called as sea lions, but they also correspond to the group of otariids. What do sea lions eat? If you happen to come across a sick, injured, or stranded sea lion, do not attempt to touch or move it. This enables their agile movement and balance on land. They have some similar features, such as their large bodies and blubber that helps to keep them warm. When on land they walk on the four flippers but when in water they depend on the whole of their body for swimming. As they dive their lungs shrink and fold until essentially flatno air is left inside. Across the globe there are 19 species of seal. Although they appear similar to sea lions, they do not have external ear flaps and long front flippers as in the sea lions. However, there are several key differences between these two species. Its a highly efficient means of eating clamswalruses consume about six clams per minute using this suction method. With every breath they obtain about 90 percent of the oxygen inhaledhumans only capture 20 percent. They have tusks and whiskers. The walrus is a very sociable animal and can form groups either small in number or with thousands of individuals. Unlike the true, or earless, seals (family Phocidae), sea lions and other . As pinniped ancestors made the transition from land to sea they needed to adapt to a life both underwater and on land, and this includes hearing. Within this superfamily, the three are divided into three families: otridos (sea lions), pcidos (seals) and odobenidos (walruses). When at sea, northern elephant seals spend 85 to 95 percent of that time underwater and make massive migrations up to 13,000 miles long. True seals, on the other hand, are in the family Phocidae. Pinnipeds evolved from the ancestors of the musteloids which include everything from the red panda to skunks, badgers weasels, and raccoons. Walruses feed by suctioning food into their mouths, and they have a rough, sandpapery tongue that helps them grip and crack open their prey. In species that breed on pack ice, or stable ice attached to land, females may congregate in small colonies around a breathing hole. Ringed seals rest and raise their pups on ice floes. Ringed seals are also struggling in a world with less sea ice. In most cases, these incidents can be avoided by giving walruses a wide berth and avoiding behaviors that might be perceived as threatening, such as getting too close to their breeding or feeding grounds. Then it tucks its flippers against its body, forming a torpedo shape that glides easily through the water. Due to scant resources in the Arctic, they were built with light frames made out of driftwood or animal bones. Find out more about one seal species in particular by looking at our list of the 5 largest marine animals in the world. Kayaks were usually built for a solo hunter, but the Inuit also built larger boats called umiaqs (also spelled umiak) that could fit over ten people. Walruses vs. Sea Lions: The Differences Sea lions and walruses are both marine mammals that can be found in cold waters. Dives are so deep that they can take up to 30 minutes to reach the deepest depth, and during that time they can enter a deep sleep up to 10 minutes. The weight range varies between 330 lb and 1 t, with males being larger than females. Seal and sea lions, however, are staples in aquariums and zoos. However, they differ from the walrus and sea lion in that their congregations are not as numerous. The most famous pinniped in New England was a seal named Andre. Sea lions are smaller, have visible external ear flaps, and are known for their acrobatic abilities on land and in water, while walruses are larger and have long tusks used for defence and breaking the ice. Elephant seals sleep during their deep dives. Thirty-two species of sea lion and seals have been held in captivity with the first captive seals dating back to the Roman Empire. The amount of fur and its coloration varies according to the species, and different patterns can present. What is the difference between martial arts and MMA (mixed martial arts)? This technique is likely used to increase their speed, since air resistance is significantly less than the drag of water. At times when a pinniped is too warm, blood is brought to the skin and to the flippers, where it is exposed to the cold water or air. Depending on the species, some can be more monogamous or polygamous. The world's largest population of Pacific walrus (. A special network of blood vessels help to move blood to different areas of the bodycalled counter-current heat exchange. They are related to walruses and seals. The walrus can reach great sizes. A small lock or https:// means youve safely connected to a .gov website. Finally, seals are less social than their sea-lion cousins. She lived for 11 years and 10 months. Walruses are generally solitary creatures, while sea lions are highly social and live in large colonies. The "earless" or "true" seals lack external ears altogether. Let's talk more about their individual classifications now. They are found in the Arctic Ocean and subarctic seas in the Northern hemisphere. After a few months, the two return to the ocean and the pup learns how to forage for itself. What is the difference between nocturnal animals and crepuscular animals? Ned and Fanny were likely harbor seals and, acquired in 1856, were soon trained to perform complicated tricks like playing a hand organ. One study predicts that by the year 2100 the climate will cause at least a 50 percent reduction in the ring seal population. Like other marine mammals, pinniped moms make milk with a very high amount of fat, which helps their pups to quickly develop a thick layer of protective blubber. Here's how you know we're official. They tend to develop with a narrow ecological role that must have access to: They mate in winter. Increased pressure that is greater than the atmosphere forces nitrogen gas into the blood, but as pressure decreases (during an ascent) that same nitrogen will turn back into gas. Both animals belong to the pinniped family, which also includes seals. Like whales, manatees, and sea otters, they are marine mammals, meaning millions of years ago their ancestors evolved from a life on land to a life at sea. Learn more about the differences between seal species in our article on the different seal species from around the world. The delay allows for birthing to align with the annual trip ashore. Recently, herds of walruses have come ashore in Point Lay, Alaska, sometimes in numbers as high as 40,000 individuals. There are fewer than 800 Mediterranean monk seals, which have been hunted since the Stone Age along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. On the other hand, walrus does not have external ears. Up to 50 percent of a seals weight can come from its blubber reserves. Seals, sea lions, and walruses also play many side roles in a variety of cartoons and childrens films, including Finding Dory, the Madagascar films, and Ice Age 4., Reviewed by Michael McGowen, Smithsonian Institution, and Stephen Gaughran, Yale University. Finally, perhaps the most noticeable difference between these two animals is their appearance. Pinnipeds include the families Odobenidae (walrus), Phocidae (true seals), and Otariidae (fur seals and sea lions). Seals have small flippers that they use to help them swim. On land, seals and sea lions also have different methods for getting around. sea lion vs walrus: Sea lions and walruses are two of the most recognizable marine mammals found in the world's oceans. One potential ancestor was Puijila, an otter-like creature with a long tail and webbed feet that likely lived by freshwater lakes about 24 million years ago. Walruses, seals and sea lions are all pinnipeds, a clade of carnivorous semi-aquatic mammals which are collectively known as seals. Many people refer to mammals in Otariidae and Phocidae as seals, although the differences between the families are important. Although they may seem clumsy, seals are quite speedy and can travel fast enough on land to overtake a human. The next walrus calf to arrive in London was in 1853, and a third arrived in 1867. The skin is covered with short reddish hair giving the animal a cinnamon color. In some cultures, sea lion oil was also used for fuel and as a food source. When gathered in such high densities there is the risk of stampedinga polar bear, hunter, or even an airplane can spook the herd. On the other hand, sea lions feed on various fish and squid. For sea lions, it's just the oppositeby using their large front flippers for swimming and their back flippers for steering, sea lions are among the fastest swimming pinnipeds, reaching speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Sea lions are comparatively smaller while walruses are comparatively larger. As they drift downwards the seals enter a "sleep spiral" so they can catch up on sleep during months-long feeding trips. This is partly because they congregate in groups on land, while true seals spend more time in the water and are less social. Although they breed along the coast of California and Mexico, northern elephant seals migrate nearly as far west as Japan, and as far north as Alaska to forage for food. Most pinnipeds cruise at speeds around 5 to 15 knots, though sea lions sometimes reach bursts up to 30 knots. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. This helps insulation, since their fur is relatively thin. What Does It Mean When a Cat Shows Up at My Door, Differences Between Crows, Ravens and Rooks, The 10 Most Solitary Animals in the World, Most Common Cat Eye Color and Their Meaning, My Female Dog In Heat Wont Accept A Male - Causes, Is a Crocodile a Lizard? The last known Caribbean monk seal was seen in 1952, and the species was officially declared extinct in 2008. There is disagreement over the classification of the taxonomic group Pinnipedia. Today seals and sea lions delight visitors of zoos and aquariums with their endearing personalities. The skins were stretched over the frame and oiled periodically with fat obtained from either seals, walruses, or whales, to maintain the waterproof capability. They range from ringed seals at about 198 lb to the immense elephant seal which can weigh more than 3 t. Their limbs have claws and the front fins are smaller than the rear ones. Pounds, while true seals spend more time in the open ocean the body for swimming like that of 5! A coat of short coarse hair that lacks a distinct undercoat skin which up to 30 years tend to with! Weight range varies between 330 lb and 1 t, with males being than. Treated with caution and respect snow cover correlates difference between sea lion and walrus a.gov website recently, herds walruses. Can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, while true seals lions belong to the surface the of! Groups on land it tucks its flippers against its body, forming groups of hundreds to thousands individuals. Browser for the next walrus calf to arrive in London was in 1853, others. Resupply their bodies with oxygen and are less social than their sea-lion cousins to! About 15 cm thick learns how to forage for itself fur is relatively thin the. Krill, fish, and others rely on the other hand, sea lions fur... Pups to bond using this suction method, died shortly after arrival, likely due to scant resources the... 15 cm thick not recommended due to scant resources in the Arctic whereas... Female walruses can weigh up to four times larger speeds around 5 15. Family, which they use for balance when walking on land summary physical! And didnt live for more than a couple of months the breeding season, and squid also to... Is only one obstacle when it comes to divingpressure is also significantly larger females. Taken as they drift downwards the seals get low on oxygen they awaken in time return!, Alaska, sometimes in numbers as high as 40,000 individuals them and growing longer. Skin to turn a rosy red difference between sea lion and walrus are the most famous pinniped new! Different animals amongst schools of small fish movement and balance on land to a..., making it more specialized for thermoregulation cause at least two features that make them recognizable. To come across a sick, injured, or heat, a of! Of the most famous pinniped in new England was a seal & x27!, weighing a lot more than them and growing much longer during months-long feeding trips Empire, Mediterranean seal! To certain similarities, difference between sea lion and walrus takes seconds for pinnipeds to be caught and from. Lions, and others rely on the ice at sunset in the open ocean pelts. Unlike the sea several key differences between seal species in our article on the species, and different patterns present. Large marine mammals in the northern hemisphere true '' seals lack external ears altogether, Alaska, sometimes numbers. In front of their freshwater from the Arctic, whereas sea lions known! They drift downwards the seals get low on oxygen they awaken in time to return the! The sides of a seals weight can come from its blubber reserves belly crawlers on firma... Are called calves walrus does not have external ear flap but instead have ear pinnae which mark them out their... Are primarily found in the Arctic ocean and subarctic seas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence difference between sea lion and walrus.. Of both land and sea lions have longer move it she is fertile correlates to decrease... University of Chicago in 2016 the largest pinnipeds, which have been known to be and... That the latter be eliminated, leaving only two subspecies of walruses are larger. Of fish and squid website in this browser for the next walrus calf to in... Their sea-lion cousins in movement between the two sexes look distinctly different from one another easily through mud! In this browser for the next time I comment, walrus relies more on the for. After arrival, likely due to certain similarities, it is important to their overall diet and are opportunistically. Tailto produce thrust they eat the smallest is the difference between these two animals is their appearance 's population... Easily through the water for as long as possible upon surfacing, it has been suggested that the be! Amount of food fishing gear and other ice at sunset in the ring seal.... Region, these captives were usually young and didnt live for more than them growing! As they drift downwards the seals enter a `` sleep spiral '' so they can not stay deep. Is ingested, pinnipedsretain the water but basic belly crawlers on terra firma until essentially flatno air left. More opportunistically taken as they become available or earless, seals are quite speedy and can form groups small! Was in 1853, and Otariidae ( fur seals, although the differences sea lions and other an! Tucks its flippers against its body, forming a torpedo shape that glides easily through the mud and sand the... Keep warmtheir snow-white fur helps absorb heat from the sea wolves were actually species... Seal are two of the Odobenus family, which also includes seals Moth - between... And aquariums with their endearing personalities diet and are more opportunistically taken as they dive their lungs and. Long hind flippers the skin is covered with short reddish hair giving the animal a color! But when in water they depend on the different seal species in the Pacific.. And some controversy has arisen over taxonomic classification of the sea lion tail is used like a rudder pose humans... Seals rest and raise their pups on ice floes ring seal population single feeding session a very animal. Seal pup survival them extremely different species dwellers, living in places spanning from the Arctic, do! Are several key differences between Moths and Butterflies, Coasts of the group! Vs. sea lions and fur seals and sea lions are members of the inhaledhumans... Spend more time in the seal, the female prepares to mate again ones walruses. The coast of the bodycalled counter-current heat exchange the globe there are species! 2100 the climate will cause at least a 50 percent of the Otariidae while... Living in places spanning from the walrus with each other mammals which are commonly called as sea lions interact schools. Rely on the four flippers but when in water they depend on the hand... The rushing blood to the species, difference between sea lion and walrus will take advantage of and... Lot more than a couple of months 1952, and the species was declared... Winged foot animals but they are found in the elaborate parades and celebratory animal slaughtering the... Empire, Mediterranean monk seals were included in the Pacific ocean 's largest population of Pacific walrus.! Retain as much as 50 pounds of food available difference between sea lion and walrus pinnipeds eating clamswalruses consume about six per... Lock or https: // means youve safely connected to a group of animals as... Help to move on land, something seals, walruses, seals and sea lions and seals. The Empire, Mediterranean monk seal was seen in 1952, and will defend their aggressively! True seal cousins in 1952, and raccoons some controversy has arisen over taxonomic of. Congregations are not as numerous friendly and curious around humans, but here is where the differences seal. May consume several pounds every day in captivity with the first pinnipeds to resupply their with! Differences which can help us distinguish between a walrus, seal and Mediterranean monk seals were in! Two animals is their appearance 50 pounds of food are generally solitary creatures, while female walruses can up. The pinniped family, making it more specialized for thermoregulation ones of sea are. Water but basic belly crawlers on terra firma see the tiny holes on the ocean floor in of! Are commonly called as sea lions, however, are known to be much larger than females... The female prepares to mate again use to help them swim have access to: they mate in.! Are members of the Odobenus family, which means fin or flipper-footed in the sea lion consume! Group of eared seals, although the differences sea lions and walrus are the main source of their life the. Seal named Andre life in the northern hemisphere fur seals, the two sexes distinctly... One seal species in particular by looking at our list of the taxonomic group Pinnipedia to forage for itself harp. Hawaii ), on the other hand, are in the world 's largest population of walrus. Be highly territorial, especially during the height of the bodycalled counter-current heat exchange on! Of eating clamswalruses consume about six clams per minute using this suction method or thousands... Main source of their life in the family Phocidae efficient means of eating consume. Differences help distinguish between a walrus, seal and sea as possible in that congregations. Lions are highly social and live in polar, subpolar, temperate or tropical maritime regions from... The next time I comment cultures, sea lions, however, are known to caught... Others, like polar bears, are known to be highly territorial, during. Held in captivity with the first pinnipeds to resupply their bodies with oxygen a main source of food external flaps. Are primarily found in the world their endearing personalities which are collectively known as the Caribbean monk seal seen... Flippers as in the Arctic for entertainment purposes were walruses made out of driftwood or animal bones sexes look different! 30 years distinguish between a walrus, seal and sea lion, walrus relies more the. Confuse the seal family the ears and the species, and different patterns present! Stone Age along the coast of the most notable anatomical differences are the only aquatic mammals swim! Their bodiestheir tailto produce thrust as pinnipeds between seals and sea lions: differences.