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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 ().
This is an accepted version of this page This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 3 March 2025. Taxonomic group of semi-aquatic mammals Pinnipeds Temporal range: Latest Oligocene – Holocene, 24–0 Ma Pre๊ ๊ O S D C P T J K Pg N Clockwise from top left: Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri), walrus ...
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]
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).
Pinnipedia (seals, sea lions, and walruses clade) is a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals which is closely related to an extinct group of pinnipeds, Enaliarctos. While support for the monophyly of pinnipeds is strong, the relationship of pinnipeds to terrestrial mammals is still unclear.
The neurotoxin domoic acid is blamed for the extreme distress and deaths of many sea lions along the Central Coast, as well as the deaths of two dolphins and two seals. Scores of reports of sick ...
Several species of the southern fur seal also have sea birds, especially penguins, as part of their diets. [2] [3] Fur seals, in turn, are preyed upon by sharks, orcas, and occasionally by larger sea lions. These opportunistic mammals tend to feed and dive in shallow waters at night, when their prey are swimming near the surface.
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.