1. Seals, Sea Lions, and Walrus
Members of the order Pinnipedia are nearly exclusively marine
Pinnipeds include:
Seals
Sea lions and fur seals
Walruses

2. Seals, Sea Lions, and Walrus
Pinnipeds (“fin-footed”) evolved from a terrestrial carnivore
They are predators, feeding mainly on fish and squid
Streamlined bodies for swimming
Thick layer of fat, or blubber for insulation, food reserves, and buoyancy

3. Sea lions and fur seals vs. Seals
Sea lions and fur seals (Otariidae)
Seals (Phocidae)

4. Photograph is property of the Riverhead Foundation
Seals
Seals (earless pinnipeds; family Phocidae) have 19 representative species
Rear flippers cannot be moved forward
No external ear flap
Claws (and fur) on flippers
Short, robust neck
Photograph is property of the Riverhead Foundation

5. Sea lions and fur seals
Sea lions and fur seals (eared pinnipeds; family Otariidae) have 15 representative species
Rotatable hind flippers
External ear flap
Long, flexible neck
No fur or claws on flippers

6. Seals Found in Long Island waters
Hooded Seal
Harbor Seal
Harp Seal
All photographs are property of the Riverhead Foundation
Gray Seal
Ringed Seal

7. Sea Lions found in Long Island watersX
There are NO sea lions in the Atlantic Ocean, and therefore no sea lions on Long Island
(except at local aquariums)

8. Walrus
Walrus (family Odobenidae) are large pinnipeds with a distinctive pair of tusks
Both male and female have tusks; can reach 1 meter in length!
Used for defense, and anchoring onto ice
Strictly Arctic!
Benthic-feeder; feeds primarily on clams
“tooth walk” for observing walrus pulling themselves out of water with tusks