Pinnipeds
Classification
w Order Pinnipedia
w Family Otariidae (sea lions and
fur seals)
w Family Odobenidae (walruses)
w Family Phocidae (earless seals)
Order Pinnipedia
w Range: Worldwide in coastal
zones and islands
w Marine (except Nerpa seal)
w Large (65-5500 lb)
carnivores with thick blubber
w Capable of land movement
w Limbs adapted to flippers
w Ear pinnae small or absent
Pinnipedia
(contd)
w External genitals and
nipples withdrawn into body surface
w Rudimentary tail
w Nostrils slitlike and closed
w Large conical canines, all
other teeth homodont
Family Otariidae
Otariidae
w Range: coastlines of
Pacific, South Atlantic, and Indian Oceans
w Eat squid and schooling fish
w Highly social (rookeries)
w 1 pup, 1 yr gestation,
synchronized delayed impl, mate after birthing
w Sexual maturity 3-5 years
Otariidae (contd)
w Physical characteristics:
Hind flippers come forward
Nails on middle 3 digits
Small ear pinnae
Large neck vertebrae
Pelt solid color, may have
underfur
Males up to 4.5x female
weight, skull becomes large / ridged
Otariidae Swimming:
w Propel with front flippers
w Steer with rear flippers
Northern Fur Seal
South African Fur
Seal
California Sea Lion
Family Odobenidae
Odobenidae
w Range: shorelines in Arctic
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
w Eat shellfish
w Highly social
w One pup, 15 m gestation
w Weaning at 1.5-2 years
w Maturity at 6-7 years in F,
15 years in M
Odobenidae
(contd)
w Physical characteristics:
2000-3500 pounds
Nearly hairless
No ear pinnae
Hind flippers can be brought
under body
No lower incisors
Upper canines form tusks
Odobenidae Swimming:
w Front and rear flippers used
to propel
w Front and rear flippers used
to steer
Walrus
Walrus rookery:
Family Phocidae
Phocidae
w Range: shorelines worldwide,
Caspian Sea (SW), Lake Baikal (FW)
w Feeding varies, penguins,
small seals, fish, krill, etc
w Small to large groups
w Monogamous or polygynous
w 1 pup, 1 y gest, wean1-6 wks
w Mature at 2-10 years
Phocidae (contd)
w Physical characteristics:
No ear pinnae
Hind flippers cannot be
brought under body
Large lumbar vertebrae with
muscle attachments
Pelt often spotted
No underfur
Phocidae swimming:
w Rear flippers used to propel
them through the water
w Front flippers used to steer
Crabeater Seal
Leopard Seal
Hooded Seal
Gray Seal
Harp Seal w/pup
Harbor Seal
Elephant Seals
Caspian Seal
Nerpa (Baikal)
Seal
U.S. Wildlife
Regulations
w Marine Mammal Protection Act
of 1972
w Fur Seal Act of 1966
w Captive walruses USFWS
w Captive seals, sea lions,
fur seals National Marine Fisheries Service
MMPA regulations
w As of 1994 facilities can
only have permits to hold, import, or export pinnipeds for:
Scientific research
Public display which MUST
include:
Qualified ed/cons program
APHIS license
Open to public w/o restriction
Water Quality
Regulations
w USDA / APHIS requires:
Weekly test for coliform
bacteria ΰ max acceptable is 1000 colonies per 100 mL
Weekly test for chlorine
levels ΰ no set limits (note: human public pools are
limited to 1ppm to prevent skin and eye irritation
Types of water
systems:
w Complete flow-thru system
(only in unpolluted coastal exhibits)
w Partial flow-thru system
(most coastal exhibits)
w Closed loop system (most
inland exhibits)
Pinniped Training
Steps
w Accept food from hand
w Bridge training
w Touch training
w Target training
w Training behaviors using
target, bridge, and variable reinforcement