What are three characteristics of Otariidae?
Emma Johnson
Updated on May 02, 2026
The Otariidae are characterized by having external ear flaps (pinnae) and are often referred to as the “eared seals.” They have whiskers (vibrissae), can walk on all four limbs (quadrupedal), and have nails on their rear flippers and small tails.
Which is a characteristic of phocids?
Phocids are characterized by the absence of external ear pinnae, a short muzzle, beaded vibrissae, dark skin, short fur, generally two teats in females, internal testes, furred hindflippers, pachyostotic (dense) ear bones, inflated tympanoperiotic bones, and the absence of supraorbital processes or an enlarged sagittal …
What family is sea lion in?
Eared seal
Sea lions/Family
Sea lions and fur seals (seals with thick fur that are more similar to sea lions than to true seals) are lumped together in the family Otariidae. True seals, on the other hand, are in the family Phocidae.
How many species are in Otariidae?
The Family Otariidae contains 13 species still living (it also contains the Japanese sea lion, a species that is now extinct). All of the species in this family are fur seals or sea lions.
How many species of Otariidae are there?
16 species
There are 16 species in this family. They are found along coastlines around North and South America, Northern and Central Asia, and along the southwest coast of Australia.
What are some characteristics of animals in the family Odobenidae?
Their bodies are heavy, appearing swollen. Their heads are round and they have broad muzzles, well endowed with thick vibrissae that appear to form a moustache. They lack external ears. The skin is thick and wrinkled, with underlying blubber that may reach 15 cm in thickness.
Do leopard seals have fur?
Like most other seals, leopard seals are insulated from frigid waters by a thick layer of fat known as blubber. Though the leopard seal is known for its coat, it has not been commercially hunted for its skin like its fur seal relatives.
What is the difference between sea lion and seal?
Sea lions (left) are brown, bark loudly, “walk” on land using their large flippers and have visible ear flaps. Seals have small flippers, wriggle on their bellies on land, and lack visible ear flaps. Seals are quieter, vocalizing via soft grunts.
Where do northern fur seals breed?
Northern fur seals seasonally breed on six islands in the eastern North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea in the United States—St. Paul, Bogoslof, St. George, Sea Lion Rock, San Miguel, and South Farallon. They also breed on the Commander Islands, Kuril Island, and Robben Island.
What are the characteristics of OtariIDs?
Colors are generally shades of brown, without stripes or other contrasting markings. The fore flippers of otariids are long and paddle-like, more than 1/4 of the length of the body. The surfaces of the fore flippers are naked and leathery, and claws are present but small. The hind flippers are also large.
How many Otariidae species are still alive today?
The Family Otariidae contains 13 species still living (it also contains the Japanese sea lion, a species that is now extinct). All of the species in this family are fur seals or sea lions.
What do Otariids use their flippers for?
Have large hind flippers that can be rotated under the animal’s body and used to support it so the animal can move relatively easily on land. Otariids can even run on land, which is something that earless seals cannot do. In the water, the otariid hind flippers are used primarily for steering.
What is the Diet of otariids?
Otariids are carnivores and have a diet which varies depending on the species. Common prey items include fish, crustaceans (e.g., krill, lobster), cephalopods and even birds (e.g., penguins).
