These two aquatic mammals are very similar in physical appearance as well as disposition, yet they have a number of distinct differences that can easily be spotted.
Here are the 3 most visible physical distinctions that can be made between seals and sea lions:
1. Sea lions have ear flaps, while seals have ear holes.
Sea Lion Ear Flaps Seal Ear Holes
2. Sea lions have long hairless foreflippers and seals have short, hairy foreflippers with claws.
Sea Lion Foreflipper Seal Foreflipper
3. Sea lions have long smooth whiskers or vibrissae, while seals whiskers are are crimped and beaded.
Sea Lion Whiskers Seal Whiskers
These three characteristics can be easily spotted and are consistent for all types of seals and sea lions.
It is now up to you to answer the question: Seal or Sea Lion?
Work Cited:
Multiple Authors. (2008). Sea lion versus seal. Retrieved from
http://www.dolphinencounters.com/education-sealionvsseal.php
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