Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses The Curious Conservationist
THIS WEEK'S ADVENTURE BROUGHT Me TO THE SANDY SHORES OF THE LA JOLLA COVE IN CALIFORNIA. . .
SO LET'S BE CURIOUS CONSERVATIONISTS AND LEARN SOME FAST, FUN, AND FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT PINNIPEDS!
Pinnipeds are aquatic mammals that are thought to have evolved from bear- or otter-like ancestors who lived on land.
“Pinnipedia” means “fin foot” or “winged foot” in Latin.
Seals are divided into two families, the Phocidae, the earless or ‘true’ seals (e.g., harbor or common seals), and the Otariidae, the eared seals (e.g., fur seals and sea lions). Walruses are also pinnipeds, but are in their own family called Odobenidae.
Besides visible ears, another difference is that the rear flippers of true seals point backward, and these seals move on land with an up-and-down undulating motion. Fur seals and sea lions (pictured below) can rotate their hind feet and use them to walk along with some speed.
Seals and Sea Lions only have one pup a year. Mothers carry their young for a gestation period of around 10 months.
Baby seals, called pups, will stay on land until their waterproof fur grows in. This can take around a month.
. . .And they need our help. . .
Conservation status
All pinnipeds — seals, sea lions and walruses — are protected in U.S. waters under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to NOAA. Most seals are not considered endangered, according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are a few exceptions, though. The Galápagos fur seal and the monk seal are both endangered. Some local populations, such as gray seals in the Baltic Sea, are endangered. The northern fur seal and hooded seal are vulnerable. The Caribbean monk seal was declared extinct in 2008.
Ways You Can Help
- Don't release balloons. What goes up must come down and many animals mistake floating balloons as food or become tangled in the strings.
- Urban storm-water runoff is considered the biggest contributor to coastal marine pollution. Both human forces (irrigation runoff and illegal dumping) and natural forces (wind and rain) move trash and other pollutants into our natural waterways, storm drains, and flood control channels. Be careful where you pour your chemicals.
- Join a beach cleanup. Pick up trash before it makes it to our oceans.
- Recycle, reduse, reuse. Did you know for every four-foot stack of paper you recycle, you save a tree!
- Chose your fish wisely. Seals and sea lions must compete for food with commercial fisherman. Order sustainable species when possible.
Do you know another way to protect our oceans?
Please comment below. I am always wanting to learn more!
For more adventures and fun animal facts visit my blog page.
