Knowra Earless seal Earless seal An earless seal is a member of the family Phocidae, distinguished from eared seals by lacking visible external ear flaps. Phocids move on land by undulating their bodies rather than rotating their hind flippers beneath them.
Pinniped : A semiaquatic carnivorous mammal in the group comprising seals, sea lions, and walruses. Phocidae is one of the three living pinniped families.
Countercurrent exchange : Heat transfer between fluids flowing in opposite directions, which can conserve warmth in limbs. This arrangement helps some seals limit heat loss through flippers.
Marine mammal rescue : The assessment, rehabilitation, and release of stranded or injured marine mammals. Rescue organizations frequently respond to stranded seals and dependent pups.
Harbor seal : A widespread coastal seal of the North Atlantic and North Pacific, also called the common seal. Its coastal habits make it one of the most familiar phocids.
Eared seal : A pinniped in the families Otariidae or Arctocephalidae, with visible external ear flaps and hind flippers that rotate forward. Eared seals contrast with phocids in ear anatomy and movement on land.
Diving physiology : The physiological adjustments that let air-breathing animals dive, including oxygen storage and slowed heart rate. Phocids store oxygen and regulate its use during prolonged dives.
Seal hunting : The pursuit and killing of seals for food, materials, or commercial products. Hunting has shaped populations, livelihoods, and regulation for many phocid species.
Harp seal : A North Atlantic seal known for seasonal migrations and dark harp-shaped markings on adults. Its seasonal movements connect breeding ice with distant feeding grounds.
Phocidae : The family of true seals, comprising pinnipeds without visible external ear flaps. This is the taxonomic family to which every earless seal belongs.
Vibrissae : Specialized whiskers that detect touch and, in seals, water movements left by swimming animals. Sensitive whiskers can help phocids track prey underwater.
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