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Seals, sea lions, and walruses are well-known examples of pinnipeds. In addition to inspiring the names for many sports teams (such as the three sports teams in the San Francisco, California area known as "the Seals " [ 1 ] ), pinnipeds have also inspired a number of fictional characters, creatures, and entities across human culture and media.
Pinnipedia is an infraorder of mammals in the order Carnivora, composed of seals, sea lions, and the walrus. A member of this group is called a pinniped or a seal. [a] They are widespread throughout the ocean and some larger lakes, primarily in colder waters.
A male California sea lion weighs on average about 300 kg (660 lb) and is about 2.4 m (8 ft) long, while the female sea lion weighs 100 kg (220 lb) and is 1.8 m (6 ft) long. The largest sea lions are Steller's sea lions , which can weigh 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and grow to a length of 3.0 m (10 ft).
Mum (sea lion), the first sea lion to give birth in mainland New Zealand for over a century. Neil (born 2020), southern elephant seal in Tasmania, Australia. Owha, a leopard seal who resided in the northern North Island of New Zealand. Popeye, a harbour seal who would often go to the marina of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Washington.
The walrus's body shape shares features with both sea lions (eared seals: Otariidae) and seals (true seals: Phocidae). As with otariids, it can turn its rear flippers forward and move on all fours; however, its swimming technique is more like that of true seals, relying less on flippers and more on sinuous whole body movements. [5]
Caniformia is a suborder within the order Carnivora consisting of "dog-like" carnivorans. They include dogs (wolves, foxes, etc.), bears, raccoons, and mustelids. [1] The Pinnipedia (seals, walruses and sea lions) are also assigned to this group.
An eared seal, otariid, or otary is any member of the marine mammal family Otariidae, one of three groupings of pinnipeds.They comprise 15 extant species in seven genera (another species became extinct in the 1950s) and are commonly known either as sea lions or fur seals, distinct from true seals (phocids) and the walrus ().
California sea lions are particularly intelligent, can be trained to perform various tasks and display limited fear of humans if accustomed to them. Because of this, California sea lions are a popular choice for public display in zoos, circuses and oceanariums, and are trained by the United States Navy for certain military operations.