People who love the animal kingdom often find themselves curious about a fascinating creature. We are talking about seals, one of the most lovable life forms on the earth. It is common to find them lazing around, eating food, and even chitchatting.
Seals, otherwise known as pinnipeds, are thought to be creative, occasionally sociable, and slightly mischievous. Although their friendly behavior toward humans depends on specific types, they are generally harmless. Did you know there are a total of 33 different kinds of pinnipeds?
You might also be surprised to learn that seals are pretty good at sleeping, as they can shut their eyes and relax anywhere. Want to learn more? Keep scrolling. This article will illuminate the fun facts about seals that will surprise you.
Top 6 Fascinating Seal Facts You Should Know
Whether you talk about sea lions, seals, or walruses, all these adorable creatures belong to a single group. Scientists call them pinnipeds, a Latin word for flipper-footed. You might not know that these animals are closely related to bears in their evolutionary history. They are characterized by being chatty and foody. Mother seals develop a unique bonding system with their pups. Let’s explore the top six fascinating seal facts you should know:
There Are 33 Species of Seals
According to fossil records, seals have been inhibiting multiple areas for quite a long time. In fact, the entrance of their forefathers into the oceans occurred about 28 to 30 million years ago. Such a rich history has contributed to their diversification. Today, there are about 33 different species known to us.
Leopard, walrus, bearded, harp, Weddell, and Baikal seals are some of the most common examples. Some of these creatures have developed a friendly relationship with dolphins. Watching them play together is a miraculous sight. You can visit dubai.ticketmagic.me/attraction/dolphin-seal-show to book your tickets to a dolphin and seal show to catch these glimpses.
Seals Can Sleep Anywhere
Do you find sleeping like a baby difficult? While sleeplessness is a common problem for human beings, seals are an exceptional case. Why? Because they can literally sleep anywhere. Whether you talk about water or land, falling asleep is not a hard nut to crack for them. There are many unusual places where they can relax.
When underwater, they are able to shut their eyes and enjoy a nap in a standing position. Some pinnipeds can even doze off in the horizontal posture. This capability also helps them stay underwater for a longer duration. Mother sleeps can also crash out on the land when their pups are playing.
Seals Are Related to Bears
You must have seen bears. Do they look like seals? Whether or not they seem similar to you, seals and bears are closely related. Their evolutionary history tells that both of these animals share the same ancestry. They have evolved from the same land-dwelling, meat-eating mammals millions of years ago.
In other words, you can refer to seals as sea-going relatives of bears. Is this fact surprising to you? Then, you might also be stunned to know that our beloved creatures also share a close evolutionary relationship with badgers and skunks. A skeleton found in Canada in 2007 further solidified this concept.
Unique Bonding Between Mother and Pups
Have you ever seen a bob of seals? This group can contain from two to dozens of these creatures. So, if there are more, how does the mother recognize her pup or vice versa? This is where a unique communication system between the two comes into play. They have developed an exceptional system for this purpose.
Right after giving birth to a baby, the mother seal starts recognizing its voice after 2 to 4 hours. Similarly, a pup will use the same mechanism 4 to 6 hours after its birth. In mammals, this bonding system is dubbed as the fastest vocal recognition process. That is why the chances of a mother losing her child are rare.
They Can Be Chatty
When talking about seals, it would be important to highlight another delightful trait that they exhibit. If ever see two or more seals growling together, do not think they are fighting. Instead, it is their way of sharing a few words. These animals have adopted several mechanisms to talk to each other.
Apart from growling, you might listen to them chirping, clicking, or even grunting. Some species can also leverage modes like whistling and barking. With that said, are you prepared for another stunning revelation about pinnipeds? Some of these lovable creatures can also accurately mimic human beings.
Seals Are Foody
Have you ever observed a seal’s eating pattern? If you think you are foody, then you might want to have a look at a seal’s eating habits. In this world, pinnipeds love nothing more than lying lazily and devouring their favorite meals. They have the following preferences to satisfy their taste buds:
- Fish
- Octopus
- Squids
- Molluscs
- Shellfish
- Crustaceans
Some species of seals are also adept hunters. They can prey on seabirds and penguins. You must be wondering how much can an adult seal consume every day. Research shows that a mature harbor seal can eat up to 4.5 to 8.2 kilograms.
Want to Interact with Seals?
Pinnipeds are incredible creatures with interesting behavioral patterns. They have many forms and shapes and can sleep wherever they feel like it. You can see them chatting and eating hungrily. Visit a reliable ticketing platform now to book your tickets for a dolphin and seal show and interact with these adorable animals.