Interesting Facts About Seals

Seals are intriguing creatures. Read this article to learn some fascinating facts about seals.

Male gray seals can grow to a length of ten feet. Females are usually between seven to seven and a half feet long.

Male seals are darker in color while females are lighter.

Male seals weigh approximately three-hundred to eight-hundred pounds while females weigh on average two-hundred to five-hundred pounds.

A seals diet usually consists of squid, shrimp and a variety of fish.

The average lifespan of a seal is between thirty and forty years.

There are eighteen species of seals.

Seals mate on land or ice.

The Carribean Monk seal was last seen in 1952 and is now considered extinct.

A seals milk consists of forty to fifty percent fat so their offspring gain weight quickly and grow quite fast. The offspring are usually weaned at three weeks of age.

The largest seal is the Elephant seal. It can weigh more than five thousand pounds.

The Hawaiian Monk seal is currently endangered.

Seals propel themselves with their rear flipper and steer with their front flippers.

Adult Ringed seals are the smallest seals weighing slightly over one-hundred pounds.

Ribbon seals have white markings like a ribbon that encircles parts of its body.

The gray seal is currently listed as endangered.

According to various sources seals can dive up to five-hundred to one thousand feet deep and can remain under water for twenty to thirty minutes at a time.

Seals have excellent eyesight and are able to see well both in and out of water. They also have sharp hearing and a good sense of smell.

The long whiskers of a seal help them to detect vibrations underwater.

Seals have one breeding cycle per year and have delayed implantation. This mean that the embryo becomes dormant for two to three months before implanting and continuing development.

Seals can close their nostrils when swimming.

A seal has more blood for its body size than any other land animal.

Seals can live in bitter cold climates due to their thick fat layer called blubber.

A group of seals is called a herd or pod.

Harbor seals are usually grow to a length of five to six feet and weigh an average of three-hundred pounds.

Harbor seals have an average lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years.

Seals have the ability to store a large amount of oxygen in their muscle tissues.

Seals are often confused with sea lions although sea lions have a sleeker body, ear flaps and longer necks.

Seals are incredible animals. I hope you have enjoyed these facts about these interesting creatures.

Sources:

www.nationalzoo.si.edu

www.animalcorner.co.uk