know your pinnipeds! Flashcards
phocidae are AKA
true seals/earless seals
anatomy of Phocidae
-has hear holes but no external ear
-small front flippers
behavior of Phocidae
-moves like an inchworm on land by belly flopping
-moves near flippers back and forth like a fish while swimming
-less vocal
-many species are more solitary
how many species of Phocidae are there?
18 species
Otariidae are AKA
eared seals (fur seals and sea lions)
anatomy of Otariidae
-external ear flaps
-large front flippers
behavior of Otariidae
-can walk on land due to rotating pelvic bone
-uses front flippers to swim, flapping them like a bird
-very vocal
-social and gather in groups
how many species of Otariidae
9 fur seal species and 6 sea lion species
Odobenidae AKA
walrus
anatomy of Odobenidae
-ear holes but no external ear
-short square front flippers that are quite wide
-male and females have tusks
-neck sacs inflate like a life jacket
behavior of Odobenidae
-uses strong flippers to pull itself forward on land
-mouth works like a vacuum, ideal for sucking up shellfish on ocean floor
behavior of Odobenidae
-uses strong flippers to pull itself forward on land
-both male
species of Odobenidae
1 species with 2 subspecies (Atlantic and pacific)