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earless seal
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earless seal

mammal
Also known as: Phocidae, true seal
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Quick Summary

Earless seals, also known as true seals, belong to the family Phocidae. Unlike eared seals, they lack external ear flaps and have shorter flippers. These aquatic mammals are adapted for swimming, with bodies that are round in the middle and tapered at the ends.12

Earless seals are carnivores, primarily feeding on fish, squid, mollusks, and crustaceans. Some species, like the leopard seal, have a more varied diet that includes penguins and other seals. Predators of seals include killer whales, polar bears, and humans.23

Examples of earless seals include the Baikal seal, found exclusively in Lake Baikal, Russia; the harbor seal, common along coastlines in the Northern Hemisphere; the Weddell seal, found near Antarctica and known for its deep diving abilities; and the ringed seal, inhabiting North Polar seas.4356

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
6 Britannica Sources
  1. earless seal
  2. Baikal seal
  3. seal
  4. harbour seal
  5. Weddell seal
  6. ringed seal

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