What’s the Difference Between Seals and Sea Lions?

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Fur seal in Namibia

Left image: Brown-furred marine mammal resting on volcanic rocks by the ocean, head raised with pointed muzzle and visible front flippers splayed on the rock. Right image: Dark-skinned marine mammal lying on ice, head turned toward camera, nursing a light-colored pup positioned against its side.

What’s the Difference Between Seals and Sea Lions?: Media

Beneath our blubber, aren’t we all just the same?

Images

Fur seal in Namibia

Fur seal in Namibia

Seals are web-footed aquatic mammals that live chiefly in cold seas and whose body...

© Oleg Znamenskiy/stock.adobe.com

Interactives

Left image: Brown-furred marine mammal resting on volcanic rocks by the ocean, head raised with pointed muzzle and visible front flippers splayed on the rock. Right image: Dark-skinned marine mammal lying on ice, head turned toward camera, nursing a light-colored pup positioned against its side.

A flippered face-off: seal vs. sea lion—spot the difference.

This side-by-side quiz shows two pinnipeds in their natural settings: on the left,...

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