All About Seals

Written by: Natalie Yao

Seals are a type of marine mammal that live in oceans around the world. They can be found along rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, and in the icy waters near the North and South Poles. 

Although seals spend much of their lives in water, they breathe air just like humans do. They must regularly swim to the surface to take a breath. A seal’s body is perfectly designed for swimming. Its smooth and rounded shape helps it glide easily through the water. Instead of arms and legs, seals have flippers. Their back flippers help push them forward, while their front flippers help them steer. On land, seals may look clumsy as they wiggle or slide across the ground, but underwater they are fast and graceful. Seals also have a thick layer of fat called blubber beneath their skin. Blubber keeps them warm in cold ocean water and stores energy when food is difficult to find. Many seals also have short, dense fur that provides additional warmth. Their coats may be gray, brown, black, white, or spotted, depending on the species.

Seals are carnivores, which means they eat other animals. Their meals may include fish, squid, shrimp, crabs, and octopuses. Some larger seals even hunt penguins or other seals. Seals use their sensitive whiskers to detect tiny movements in the water. These whiskers can help them follow the trail left behind by a swimming fish, even when the water is dark or cloudy.

There are more than 30 species of seals. The tiny ringed seal usually weighs around 100 pounds, while a male southern elephant seal can weigh more than 8,000 pounds. Elephant seals get their name from the large, trunk-like noses of adult males. Harbor seals are another well-known species and are often seen resting near beaches and harbors. Baby seals are called pups. Most seal mothers give birth to one pup at a time on land or ice. The mother feeds her pup rich milk that helps it grow quickly. Some seal pups, like the harp seal, have fluffy white coats that keep them warm and help them blend into the snowy Arctic.