When we look at his photographs, it is impossible not to see a seal laughing. We don’t know if these cute animals are actually laughing, but it’s hard not to laugh when you look at their photos. The first sound that comes to mind when talking about a seal is replaced by a smile on our faces.
Seals, which are classified as pinnipeds, are one of the rare creatures that can live both in the sea and on land. What makes them interesting is not just this!
“What kind of fish is a seal?” Let us explain it to you before you ask.
The seal family, whose name we hear all the time and which once had its share of social media buzzwords as “seals are very lonely”, is the largest among the pinniped species, which are a carnivorous group. Since it is thought to be a fish, the only question that remains in mind is whether it is a mammal or not. When we look at scientific sources, seals are generally very similar to fish and marine animals with their feeding habits.
Since some people think of seals as a type of fish, such as a whale or dolphin, they automatically perceive seals as a type of fish. For this reason, the question “Does a seal have breasts?” comes to mind. Let’s give a general answer: Yes, seals are classified as breasted animals.
Well, let’s talk about the little-heard things about these mammals. Here is some different information about seals:
- While their body weight varies between 40 kg and 2.5 tons, their height can reach up to 6 meters.
- Pregnancy period is 11 months.
- They have a very developed sense of smell and can detect odors up to 500 meters away.
- “Where it lives?” Answer to the question: They can reach depths of up to 1.5 km underwater.
- Instead of a common ear, they have a special auditory canal.
- Their age is determined by looking at their teeth.
- They are very lonely, but why?
- Strangely enough, their most valuable feature that helps them navigate underwater is their whiskers.
- They have high levels of carbon monoxide in their blood, as in smokers.
While their body weight varies between 40 kg and 2.5 tons, their length can reach up to 1 to 6 meters.
Seals are carnivorous marine mammals that vary greatly in terms of body weight and length. The body load of these animals can vary between 40 kg and 2.5 tons, depending on their species and breed.
Their length can usually reach up to 6 meters. This is also a situation related to their types. However, varieties are not the only reason; Since they are found in different climates and habitats, it is also related to their adaptations.
Pregnancy period is 11 months.
The pregnancy period of seals is 11 months on average, which is unusual among breasted animals. Even more interesting is that pregnant seals come to land to give birth. This process includes the female’s birth period as well as the growth process of the offspring. We think it may be an answer to those wondering where seals live, because seals are among the distinguished creatures that can live both on land and in the sea.
They have a very developed sense of smell and can detect odors up to 500 meters away.
Seals are creatures with highly developed senses of smell to understand the world around them and detect their prey. Their very sensitive noses can detect the smell even under water.
Their keen sense of smell is especially vital for hunting and detecting dangers. They use their advanced sense of smell to find prey under the sea, communicate with other seals, and sense potential dangers.
They can stay underwater for up to 2 hours and reach depths of up to 1.5 km.
The ability of seals to stay underwater for long periods of time is a valuable feature that supports these mammals’ underwater hunting and survival strategies. Thanks to their breathing systems, they can dive for long periods of time.
The lung capacity of seals and the oxygen carrying capacity of their blood enable them to last longer under water. These animals can hold their breath while diving and use oxygen more effectively by slowing down their metabolism.
Instead of ears, seals have a special auditory canal when diving in water.
The fact that seals have a special hearing system instead of ears also allows these animals to maintain their ability to hear effectively under water. They have a hearing system that has evolved specifically to meet their needs for hunting and communicating under water.
We cannot see a seal’s ear when we look at it, but this does not mean that they cannot hear at all. This special auditory canal helps them reduce the effects of water pressure and the acoustic environment while underwater.
The ages of seals are determined by the number of circles at the base of their teeth.
It is very easy to determine the age of seals. Generally, looking at the number of circles at the base of your teeth is enough for this. Although they usually have a regular tooth structure when they are born, various changes occur in their teeth over time. These changes are changes in the state of the tooth base.
As they get older, ring-like structures form at the base of the teeth. These rings are like an indicator representing the growth periods of the seals over the years. A ring forms on its teeth within a year, and therefore the total number of rings at the base of the tooth easily indicates the age of the seal.
They are very lonely, but why?
Since seals are at the top of the Mediterranean food web, their protection is very important. However, the reason for the expression “seals are very lonely”, which was on social media for a while, is due to their extinction.
While they used to live on all Mediterranean coasts, today they are stuck only in our country, the coasts of Greece and the northwestern coast of Africa, and they are in danger of extinction. Habitat loss, overhunting and intentional killing are the most important reasons for this extinction.
It’s whiskers are what help it navigate underwater.
Their whiskers, known as vibrissae, serve as a vibration system that helps them better explore their underwater environment and detect their prey. These whiskers, which have evolved to sensitively detect environmental touch and pressure changes, can detect the movement of objects and prey around them while under water. Their ability to sense ripples in the water and roughness underwater allows seals to detect their prey and react quickly to changes around them.
They have high levels of carbon monoxide in their blood, as in smokers.
Surprisingly, it is thought that the high level of carbon monoxide in the blood of these mammals is due to the fact that they hold their breath for long periods of time during deep dives. In addition, the decrease in brain temperature by 3 degrees during diving reduces the oxygen requirement of their brains and thus increases their diving capacity. In this way, they can dive up to 2000 meters when necessary to find food.
While the various features and behaviors of seals around the world provide interesting information about animal science, “how little we actually know about them!” It makes you say.
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