Differences Between Seal vs. Sea Lion vs. Walrus

Walruses, seals and sea lions are all pinnipeds, a clade of carnivorous semi-aquatic mammals which are collectively known as seals. This is a diverse group with many different Families, making it quite confusing when trying to distinguish between these different animals.

Adjustments and some controversy has arisen over taxonomic classification of these animals. While they all share common ancestry, some seem to be closer in morphology to ursids (bears) while others are closer to mustelids (weasels, badgers, etc.).

Of the seals, walruses and sea lions we discuss in this article, only one is considered a ‘true seal’. These are the various genera which can be found in the Phocidae family. Below, we look at the taxonomic grouping of these seal species in more detail.

Walruses

While true seals and sea lions consist of various genera, there is only one remaining genus of walrus:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Odobenidae
• Genus: Odobenus
• Species: Odobenus rosmarus

Previously, the species was subdivided into the Atlantic walrus (O. R. Rosmarus), the Pacific walrus (O. R. Divergens) and Laptev walrus (O. R. Laptevi). However, based on scientific research, it has been suggested that the latter be eliminated, leaving only two subspecies of walruses.

True seals

As for the seals, their general classification is presented as follows:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Phocidae

Seals have the following genera in which, in addition to differing species, certain subspecies are also found.

• Cystophora
• Erignathus
• Halichoerus
• Histriophoca
• Hydrurga
• Heptonychotes
• Lobodon
• Mirounga
• Monachus
• Ommatophoca
• Pagophilus
• Phoca
• Pusa

Interestingly, true seals are more adapted to life in the water than on land, which is evident in their inability to rotate their hind flippers forward for walking. They are also known for their streamlined bodies that help them swim more efficiently in the ocean.

Sea lion

Finally, we can see the following classifications of true seals:

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Carnivora
• Family: Otariidae

In the case of sea lions, the species and some subspecies are grouped into the following genera:

• Arctocephalus
• Callorhinus
• Eumetopias
• Neophoca
• Otaria
• Phocarctos
• Zalophus

Sea lions are known for their playful nature and their ability to "walk" on land using their large flippers. Their social structure often involves large colonies, and they are highly vocal animals, using barks to communicate.

As we have seen, walruses, seals and sea lions are aquatic mammals. If you want to know more about these types of marine life, check out our article on characteristics of aquatic mammals.

Due to their spindle-shaped bodies, slick looking coats and lumbering flippers, it is easy to confuse these animals at first glance. However, there are important differences which can help us distinguish between a walrus, seal and sea lion.

Walruses

Walruses have a particular morphology. Their limbs have been modified to form fins, as is the case with most pinnipeds. In the case of walruses, these modifications are important to move both in water and on land effectively.

They are able to rotate the pelvic fins downward to aid water displacement while swimming. They have an adipose layer of fat underneath their wrinkled skin which up to about 15 cm thick. This helps insulation, since their fur is relatively thin.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of walruses is their long canine teeth, which are often called tusks. The walrus can reach great sizes. In the case of males, they can weigh up to 1.3 t and females up to 0.9 t. The head is rounded, the muzzle is wide, with thick vibrissae (whiskers) and they lack an external ear. The coloration is brown, but some individuals have yellowish tones.

Walruses are also known for their social behavior, often forming large groups on ice floes. They use their tusks not only for defense but also to aid in climbing out of the water onto ice.

True seals

Phocids or true seals vary considerably in size according to the species. They range from ringed seals at about 198 lb to the immense elephant seal which can weigh more than 3 t. Their limbs have claws and the front fins are smaller than the rear ones. Rear fins on seals cannot bend down from the body, meaning they cannot walk on land. However, they can crawl across land at swift speeds.

They have a layer of fat which makes up to 25% of the body's weight. The amount of fur and its coloration varies according to the species, and different patterns can present. Certain genera are practically hairless while others have furry snouts. Seals do not have external ears, but their ear canal is unique and well protected to efficiently withstand high pressures from being underwater. Finally, phocids are mammals adapted to swim very efficiently.

True seals are less social compared to sea lions and walruses, often preferring solitude or forming small groups. They are known for their impressive diving capabilities, with some species able to dive to depths exceeding 1,500 meters.

Sea lions

There are some species which are commonly called as sea lions, but they also correspond to the group of otariids. These have external pinnae which form a small ear at either side of their head. Unlike seals, their long thoracic limbs can flex to move on land. Their hindquarters are also large and all four have small claws. All species of sea lion have fur, but it varies.

In seals, the hair is generally abundant and coarse, making it more specialized for thermoregulation. In sea lions, the coat is short, less coarse and sticks to the skin when wet. In general, the coloration tends to be uniform brown tones. The weight range varies between 330 lb and 1 t, with males being larger than females.

Sea lions are highly social and often form large colonies. They are also known for their intelligence and ability to learn complex tasks, which is why they are often featured in aquatic shows.

Fur seals

Other than sea lions, the only other species which makes up the Otariidae family is the fur seal. This can be confusing due to the name seal being in their name. However, as all sea lions are technically seals, just not true seals, it isn't incorrect. As with sea lions, fur seals also have ear pinnae which mark them out from their true seal cousins.

Fur seals have a dense underfur layer that provides excellent insulation, allowing them to thrive in colder waters. They are agile swimmers and are able to leap with ease, which helps them evade predators like sharks and orcas.

Another of the key differences between seals, sea lions and walruses is their habitat. Below we explain where each of these animals life and how they adapt to these environments.

Walrus habitat

Walruses have a distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, being present in the arctic and sub-arctic marine areas. They do not live in one place continuously, but live near regions such as:

• Alaska
• Canada
• Greenland
• Russian Federation
• Svalbard
• Jan Mayen

Eventually, there are some individuals who move to other countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, among others. They are generally on the continental shelf and submerge at shallow depths.

Walruses rely on ice floes for resting and breeding, which makes them highly vulnerable to climate change and the melting of sea ice in the Arctic regions. Conservation efforts are critical to ensuring these majestic animals continue to thrive.

True seal habitat

As for true seals, their greater variety of species gives them a greater population distribution. They live in latitudes of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Depending on the species, they live in polar, subpolar, temperate or tropical maritime regions. However, there is one exception; the Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica). This seal is endemic to Russia and lives in fresh waters. Some examples of seal habitats include:

• Mediterranean Sea
• Coasts of the United States (including Hawaii)
• Argentina
• Arctic
• Antarctica
• Canada
• Chile
• Greenland
• New Zealand
• South Africa

Seals can dive to great depths. Some species have migratory behaviors, so they can swim long distances. Find out more about one seal species in particular by looking at our list of the 5 largest marine animals in the world.

True seals are incredibly adaptable and have evolved to live in a variety of environments, from icy polar regions to warmer coastal waters, showcasing their remarkable resilience.

Sea lion habitat

Sea lions are distributed along various maritime coasts. For example, in the case of the Pacific, they are found in both North and South America. They live on various islands and archipelagos of central and northern Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Unlike seals, otariids make faster and shallower dives, and have shorter displacement areas. Although they tend to prefer cold water from the north or south depending on the species, some are located in tropical waters.

Sea lions are often found basking on rocky shores or sandy beaches. They are known to frequent areas with abundant food supply, such as upwelling zones where nutrient-rich waters attract a multitude of fish and other marine organisms.

As for the behaviors of walruses, seals and sea lions, we look at them in more detail below.

Behavior of walruses

The walrus is a very sociable animal and can form groups either small in number or with thousands of individuals. They usually move in company, but are segregated according to sex when it is not their mating season.

They tend to develop with a narrow ecological role that must have access to:

• Extensive areas of shallow water, where bivalves are found, on which they mainly feed.
• Open water that they can drift into when ice covers regular feeding areas. When this happens, they look for other animals such as sea cucumbers, crabs, worms, sea snails and others.

They mate in winter. When the males court, establish small areas in the water with several females to copulate with all of them. They make very loud mating noises to attract attention.

Interestingly, walruses use their sensitive whiskers to detect prey on the ocean floor, showcasing their remarkable adaptation to their icy habitat.

Behavior of true seals

The members of the Phocidae family vary in behavior according to species. They are generally active hunters that feed on fish, squid, octopus, plankton, and penguins, among other prey.

Depending on the species, some can be more monogamous or polygamous. Few are strictly monogamous, but some live in large breeding colonies with various partners. However, they differ from the walrus and sea lion in that their congregations are not as numerous. Seals are expert swimmers, depending on the species their ability to stay underwater varies. Some have migratory behaviors.

True seals are known for their solitary nature during non-breeding seasons, often seen lounging on icebergs or isolated beaches. They are also capable of long migrations in search of food and optimal breeding grounds.

Behavior of sea lions

The sea lion is a social animal, which congregates in large numbers on firm ground during mating season. The male arrives first and establishes a territory, which he defends aggressively. They only allow the presence of several females, with whom he will copulate. A curious feature is that females give birth to the young of the previous reproductive season, but begin the new heat cycle and copulation within days. Their diet is based on fish, crustaceans, octopus and squid.

Sea lions are incredibly vocal, using a variety of sounds to communicate within their colonies. They are also highly curious creatures, often approaching boats and humans out of sheer curiosity.

If you want to read similar articles to Differences Between Seal vs. Sea Lion vs. Walrus, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.