What are the differences between harbour seals and Steller sea lions?
• Sea lions are larger and have longer flippers than harbour seals. • Sea lions are able to support themselves on their front flippers and walk, seals can’t. Seals move like inchworms on land. • Sea lions are noisy and are territorial in their breeding ground. Harbour seals rarely vocalize and are quite shy. How deep can a harbour seal dive? • Harbour seals can dive to 300 metres deep and an adult can hold its breath for up to 25 minutes. What is the dive reflex? • When the seal’s face is submerged, it automatically holds its breath, its heartbeat slows by up to 90 percent and its blood circulation is reduced, except to the most vital organs, the heart and brain. This allows seals to stay under water for long periods. What dangers do harbour seal populations face? • The harbour seal’s chief predator is the killer whale. The seal must also be on the lookout for some shark species, and humans. • The harbour seal is protected against commercial exploitation, but is still hunted by some na
• Sea lions are larger and have longer flippers than harbour seals. • Sea lions are able to support themselves on their front flippers and walk, seals can’t. Seals move like inchworms on land. • Sea lions are noisy and are territorial in their breeding ground. Harbour seals rarely vocalize and are quite shy. How deep can a harbour seal dive? • Harbour seals can dive to 300 metres deep and an adult can hold its breath for up to 25 minutes. What is the dive reflex? • When the seal’s face is submerged, it automatically holds its breath, its heartbeat slows by up to 90 percent and its blood circulation is reduced, except to the most vital organs, the heart and brain. This allows seals to stay under water for long periods. What dangers do harbour seal populations face? • The harbour seal’s chief predator is the killer whale. The seal must also be on the lookout for some shark species, and humans. • The harbour seal is protected against commercial exploitation, but is still hunted by some na
Sea lions are larger and have longer flippers than harbour seals. Sea lions are able to support themselves on their front flippers and walk, seals can’t. Seals move like inchworms on land. Sea lions are noisy and are territorial in their breeding ground. Harbour seals rarely vocalize and are quite shy.
