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 When attempting to identify an animal as either a true seal (Phocid)
or a fur seal or sea lion (Otariid), it is best to determine the animal's
mode of terrestrial locomotion. Remember the general rule: true seals
are like slugs; fur seals and sea lions are like bears. True seals
are like slugs because they cannot rotate their hind flippers forward
to "walk" on land or ice as fur seals or sea lions do. Instead,
they move by hunching the body like an oversized slug. Fur seals and
sea lions, on the other hand, use both hind and fore flippers to walk
on land just like bears and other land mammals.
Test yourself:
Can
you identify which of the following animals are Phocids and which
are Otariids?
Click on a picture to learn more....
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