#686: Seal

When I first became fascinated in animals, Seals were considered in an Order of their own - now DNA studies place them within the Carnivora Suborder: Caniforna, along with mustelids, bears and canines.

Seals can be divided into three types: the "true seals", walruses and the eared seals. Eared seals (also known as Fur Seals or Sea Lions) are capable of holding themselves erect on their front flippers and moving quadrupedally. True seals, however, are more adapted for the aquatic life. Her body is exceedingly stream-lined, lacking in external ears. Her hindlimbs are bound to her pelvis and she is unable to bring them beneath her body. On land, she must move in a clumsy, slug-like manner, wriggling along using her front flippers and abdominal muscles.


Other Seal Entries:

Fur Seal
Walrus (to come)

And other "true" seals that have featured:
Ribbon Seal
Elephant Seal