What is a Pinniped?

A Pinniped, meaning fin or flipper-footed, is a type of marine animal defined by both their front and back flippers, and how they live in the ocean but are able to stay on land for long periods of time. They are categorised into three different species.

Groups of Pinnipeds

The three groups of Pinnipeds;
✮ True/Earless seals, phocids.
✮ Eared seals, otariids.
✮ Walrus, odobenids.
These species, millions of years ago, would have lived on land, but after spending so much time in and around the ocean, have naturally adapted to the habitat.

True/Earless Seals !!
family name: phocidae, or phocids.

✮ True seals are defined by their lack of any external ears. They have ear holes in place of where an ear flap would be.
✮ True seals have smaller front flippers and use their back flippers to swim, when on land they move by flopping on their stomachs (galumphing).
✮ True seals make grunting noises and have long claws covered in fur.

ear holes + lack of any external ear can be seen.

seal claws/nails.

Eared Seals !!
family name: otariidae, or otariids.

✮ Eared seals have visible, external ear flaps.
✮ Eared seals are sea lions and fur seals, and despite having ‘seal’ in the name, fur seals are more closely related to sea lions than true seals.
✮ Eared seals use their front flippers to swim in water, and can sit and move upright on land.
✮ Eared seals make bark-like noises and have short nails covered by skin.

ear flaps can be seen.

long flippers + no claws.

Walruses !!
family name: odobenidae, or odobenids.

✮ Walrus’ are typically much bigger than any other pinniped family.
✮ Walrus’ can be most easily defined by their large tusks on both males and females.
✮ Walrus, like true seals, use their back fins to propel themselves through the water.
✮ To move on land, Walrus appear to use all four fins to walk normally.

size comparison.

tusks.