Seals, Manatees, and Marine Mammals By: Alex Dichterenko

Origins of Seals Order Carnivora Order Carnivora Originated from terrestrial carnivores Originated from terrestrial carnivores Traditional Classification is Pinnipedia Traditional Classification is Pinnipedia 8 pinnipeds in the North Atlantic 8 pinnipeds in the North Atlantic –Walrus− Grey seal − Common seal − Ringed seal –Harp seal − Bearded seal –Hooded seal− Mediterranean Monk seal

Classification 34 species 34 species 3 Familes 3 Familes I. Ear Seals II. Walruses III. True Seals 1. Phocinae Found in Northern Hemisphere Found in Northern Hemisphere 2. Mochinae Found mostly in the Southern Hemisphere with the exception of Monk Seal Found mostly in the Southern Hemisphere with the exception of Monk Seal

Living Areas, Migration, Feeding, and Sealing Live in Cold seas, with one exception. Live in Cold seas, with one exception. Mediterranean Monk seal, located Southeastern part of North Africa. Mediterranean Monk seal, located Southeastern part of North Africa. Migratory patterns vary from species and could occur over vast or short distances. Migratory patterns vary from species and could occur over vast or short distances. May only include part of the population. May only include part of the population. Most seals Eat fish Most seals Eat fish Crustaceans and cephalopods have been found in their diet too. Crustaceans and cephalopods have been found in their diet too. Seals have been hunted since the stone age, and it still continues in places like Greenland and Canada. Seals have been hunted since the stone age, and it still continues in places like Greenland and Canada.

Common Seal (Harbor seal) Description: Small seal with a rounded head, V shaped nostrils, and eyes that are equidistant from the ears and nose. Coloration: Coats are typically spotted

Ringed Seal Description: A small thickset seal, with a small rounded head. It has a short wide muzzle and white whiskers. Coloration: Typical with large white rings on adults.

Harp Seal Description: Medium sized seal with a slightly pointed head. Coloration: Coat color changed with age. 1. Newborns: White coat for 12 days, then they develop a grey coat which is shed after 21 days. 2. Juveniles: Grey coat with some small black spots. 3. Adults pattern can very.

Grey seal Description: Medium size seal with a rectangular horse like head. The nostrils are widely separated. Coloration: Have a dark grey coat on their back and a light grey on their belly. Toped with irregular spots and blotches.

Bearded seal Description: large seal with a small head and short fore flippers. This makes the seal appear longer. Coloration: Adults have a darker shade on their backs then on their stomachs. Juveniles have a long rippled coat with up to 4 pale transverse bands.

Hooded Seal Description: Robust seal with short flippers. Whiskers are dark on the young and light on the adults. Coloration: Coat is silver- grey with irregular black spots. The muzzle of adults is black.

Mediterranean Monk Seal Description: Medium sized seal with short fore flippers and a tubular body. It has a flat head and the eyes are widely separated. The nostrils point up not forward. Coloration: Most are dark brown with the belly slightly lighter then the back.

Walrus The walrus family consists of just a single species. Lacks external ears like true seals, but it can not support its body with hind flippers. Description: Has tusks that can grow up to 50 cm long. The tusks grow with age, fore flippers have claws. Coloration: It has a very distinctive mustache made up of sensory hair, and a skin up to 8 cm thick.

Manatees An order of Mammals known as Sirenia, named for the mermaids of Greek Mythology An order of Mammals known as Sirenia, named for the mermaids of Greek Mythology Eat plants, mangrove leaves, and mussels. (possibly fish) Eat plants, mangrove leaves, and mussels. (possibly fish) Hunted by local people for meat and oil. Populations threatened by hunting and collisions with boats. Hunted by local people for meat and oil. Populations threatened by hunting and collisions with boats.

West African Manatee Description: Typical manatee, slim with a short head, and paddle shaped flippers and tail Coloration: Hairless with the exception of some white bristles on its upper lip. Skin color is a grey-brown

West Indian Manatee Description: Plump with flexible paddle-shaped limbs. Has two semicircular nostrils and 3 to 4 claws on their flippers. Coloration: Grey-brown skin that can have a greenish tint caused by algal growth.

Marine Carnivores 3 species other then seal that are regarded as Marine carnivores are the: 3 species other then seal that are regarded as Marine carnivores are the: –Sea Otter –South American Marine Otter Only two species of otter that live exclusively in the sea. –Polar Bear

Polar Bear Description: Rectangular head, white coat, and great big oar like paw helpful for swimming. Description: Rectangular head, white coat, and great big oar like paw helpful for swimming. Coloration: White coat with black nose and feet. Coloration: White coat with black nose and feet. Food: Seals, Belugas, fish, and sometimes birds Food: Seals, Belugas, fish, and sometimes birds

Sea and coastal Otters Description: Mustelid with small ears and a large tail, web feet, brown coats with heavy fur. Coloration: Dark brown back, belly and tail paler sometimes white. Food: Coastal fish, eels, butter fish.

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