Why Do Seals and Sea Lions Act in Weird Ways?

Introduction

     Did you know that seals and sea lions are called pinnipeds? Let's dive down and learn about pinnipeds.

Behavior

     Behaviors in seals and seal lions can vary from species to species. Other behaviors can be observed from all pinnipeds. 

     For example, seals and sea lions move in many different ways. Seals and sea lions are fast swimmers, going speeds of up to 25 miles an hour.

Porpoising

     Seals and sea lions have adapted to be able to move quickly in the water. Seals and Sea lions are seen sometimes jumping out of the water to speed up their swimming. 

     Fur seals and sea lions have bigger front flippers than actual seals. They use them like paddles to swim. There are different features in their flipper size and structure that change how they move.

Rafting

     In the ocean, seals and sea lions sometimes can be seen floating above the water while raising their flippers. This is called rafting. 

     Rafting is what seals and sea lions do to release or absorb heat. For example, seals and sea lions raise their flippers to get rid of heat or absorb heat.

Hauling Out

     Pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) sometimes go out of the water. This is called “hauling out.”

     There are many reasons why seals and sea lions leave the ocean when they haul out. For example, seals and sea lions may haul out when they are mating or giving birth. 

     Some other reasons that seals and sea lions haul out are to rest, to avoid predators, and or to gather together for social activities.

Galumphing

     Seals flop on their bellies on land. This behavior is called galumphing. 

     Galumphing sounds slow and embarrassing, but seals can go fast when they want to. Seals move about 5 to 10 miles per hour when they are galumphing. They can reach speeds of about 25 miles per hour while they are swimming.

Thermoregulating

     Elephant seals thermoregulate by flipping wet sand onto their backs to cool them off. Thermoregulate means how living things keep their body temperature steady.

     Seals have many different adaptations to help them thermoregulate. For example, they have fur coats and a thick layer of blubber to stay warm. In cold climates, seals also huddle together to stay warm.

Author's Note

      I was inspired to make my topic about seals and sea lions because my brother showed me a video and I thought it was goofy and funny. That is why I created my website about pinnipeds.