Steller males are massive, the largest of the eared seals, weighing in at 1,200 lbs (0.5 metric ton) or greater. Crescent City, CA There may be a small breeding colony of Stellers using near shore rocks in RNSP. The other resident eared seal is the Steller, or Northern, sea lion (Eumetopias jubata), a federally threatened species. You have to get very close to see the tiny holes on the sides of a seal’s sleek head. California sea lions are the "trained seal" of marine parks and circuses. Elephant seals, on the other hand, are uniformly tan colored all over, and seen only rarely within the parks. The Phocidae, or family group to which the true seals belong, are believed to have descended from a terrestrial weasel-like ancestor, while the Otariidae, or sea lion family group, are thought to have descended from a terrestrial bear-like ancestor. Seals and sea lions share adaptations for living in the sea—including blubber, flippers, and streamlined bodies. The "earless" or "true" seals lack external ears altogether. Seals have small flippers, wriggle on their bellies on land, and lack visible ear flaps. They are uniformly dark brown and vocalize with the notable sea lion "bark". Females are much smaller. Despite the similarities of outward appearance, true seals and sea lions have some noticeable differences, due to convergent evolution. Besides, when swimming, the seal mainly uses the hind flippers as thrusters; the sea lion swims with its front fins, with hind flippers acting as rudders. Harbor seals are quite common and may be seen lounging on flat-topped near shore rocks, or hauled out sandy beaches, primarily around the Redwood Creek estuary. Although they feed in the sea, they surface for air. But seals and sea lions belong to different families. Fourth, while both species spend time both in and out of the water, seals are better adapted to live in the water than on land. The (Fur) Seal. They are often seen bobbing in the surf, checking out the shoreline. They are uniformly dark brown and vocalize with the notable sea lion "bark". Within this super family, the three are divided into three families: the otaridos (sea lions), the phocidae (seals) and the Odobenidae (walruses). Last updated: 11/13/19
At the same time, their hind flippers angle backward and don't rotate. Seals lack an external ear flap whereas sea lions have an external ear flap that is visible. The other resident eared seal is the Steller, or Northern, sea lion (Eumetopias jubata), a federally threatened species. In and around RNSP, there are two seal species to be found, the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), and northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirotris). But upon closer inspection, you may wonder which animal you're actually pointing and grinning at: a seal or a sea lion. True seals are also known as earless seals, or simply "seals". Noun. 1111 Second Street Most of the California sea lions in RNSP are adult and subadult males that migrate north after the breeding season in southern California. Next, there is a pretty significant difference in flipper length and mobility. Seals, on the other hand, have no external ear flap but instead have ear holes. This is why scientists refer to species in the family Otariidae as eared seals. What Are the Differences Between Seals and Sea Lions? The "earless" or "true" seals lack external ears altogether. Harbor seals come in a variety of colors from almost pure white to mottled gray or brown, but usually some form of color patterning is visible. a modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence. They are actually different animal families under the order “pinniped,” which means “fin-footed” in Latin. But after a thorough inspection, you may know the difference between sea lion vs seal.However, the differences are not very notable, but a good comparison between sea lion vs seal will show you the apparent differences.