What is a Pinniped?
Q: What is a Pinniped?
A: A Pinniped is a semi-aquatic marine mammal, such as seals and their relatives.
Q: How many families of seals are there?
A: There are three seal families: Odobenidae (walruses), Otariidae (eared seals, including sea lions and fur seals), and Phocidae (true seals).
Q: What does the body of a seal look like?
A: Seals have sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped bodies that are well adapted to the aquatic habitat where they spend most of their lives. They also have flippers for hands, big bulky bodies, doggish faces, and big eyes.
Q: How do pinnipeds breathe underwater?
A: Pinnipeds have nostrils on their face which close when they go underwater so that they can hold their breath for extended periods of time.
Q: What type of food do pinnipeds eat?
A: Pinnipeds are carnivorous which means they only eat meat such as fish or squid but not plants.
Q: Are pinnipeds vulnerable to predators in the wild?
A: Yes, almost all pinnipeds can be eaten by polar bears, sharks and killer whales in the wild.
Q: Are seals trained to put on shows in zoos or aquariums ? A: Yes ,seals are often trained in zoos or aquariums to put on shows . However ,in Sweden it is illegal to train a seal to balance a ball on its nose .
