6 Fascinating Facts About Sea Lions and Seals to Know Before Your Animal Encounter

As you watch a sea lion glide effortlessly through the water or a seal curiously observe its surroundings, you can’t help but be captivated by their unique behaviors and undeniable charisma.

Their playful behavior and charming personalities make meeting them at the sea lion and seal encounter at SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi a worthy experience.

Meeting these fascinating pinnipeds at one of the leading water theme parks in the UAE without any preconceived notions is a great idea, but taking the time to read about them can make the experience even more meaningful and memorable.

We’ve rounded up six facts below worth knowing about sea lions and seals to pique your curiosity and help you see these animals from a new perspective.

Sea Lions

Sea lions are pinnipeds, a group of semi-aquatic mammals belonging to the Otariidae family. There are six species of this pinniped, with the South American and Californian sea lions as the most abundant and widely recognized.

Below are some must-know facts about them:

1.     They are fast, capable swimmers.

Sea lions are impressive swimmers as they can swim at burst speeds of up to 25 mph. However, they typically cruise at approximately 11 mph. They speed up by porpoising, or gliding on the water’s surface to reduce resistance.

These pinnipeds use their hind flippers to steer and their front flippers to swim, which is why they are sometimes called the “Angels of the Sea.”

Sea lions are mammals, which means they need oxygen to survive, but they are expert divers, with some species capable of diving up to 300 meters (984 feet).

They can also hold their breath for a long time, with some species capable of holding their breath for 20 minutes.

2.     They are skilled hunters.

When you see a sea lion swimming with ease, you’re also looking at a skilled hunter.

Sea lions rely on their excellent eyesight and hearing to find prey in the ocean. Their diet includes fish, squid, and other marine animals.

Their strong front flippers help them move quickly through the water and chase fast-moving prey. The sea lions’ diving skills also help them dive deep to search for food.

3.     They can regulate their body temperature.

Thermoregulation is a bodily process that allows mammals to regulate their body temperature. Sea lions do this by raising one flipper into the air while floating or underwater. 

Sea lions perform this thermoregulation action because the capillaries in their flippers are close to the surface of their skin, which helps them absorb sunlight quickly and warm their bodies when they feel cold.

When sea lions need to cool down, they immerse their flippers in the water and raise them back up into the air.

Seals

Like sea lions, seals are also pinnipeds. There are 33 species and two primary types of seals: the earless, or true, seals, which belong to the family Phocidae, and the eared seals, which are part of the family Otariidae.

Below are some fascinating facts about seals:

1.     They move more gracefully in water.

Seals move on land by flopping along on their bellies, like a caterpillar. This movement is called galumphing.

Many scientists say this movement is similar to the seals’ ancestors’ ability to walk on land. According to them, true or earless seals may have descended from a type of land-living weasel, while eared seals may have bear-like ancestors.

Seals may seem clumsy on land, but they swim gracefully as they move their rear flippers back and forth to propel themselves through water.

2.     They have unique sleeping habits.

Seals have exceptional sleeping habits that allow them to sleep on land and water. When they sleep in water, they either float vertically or in a horizontal position near the water surface.

Elephant seals tend to take 10-minute naps while performing 30-minute dives when hunting at sea. They may even sink and sleep on the seafloor.

While hunting in the water, most seal species get only two hours of sleep each day, but they get more once they are back on land, sleeping over 10 hours per day on average. 

3.     They tend to be solitary animals.

Many seal species prefer spending time alone while hunting and traveling. However, they come together during breeding and pupping seasons or when resting in suitable locations.

But even if they join a colony or a group of seals, they still do not form close relationships with the others.

Additionally, seals have a unique way of communicating with their fellow animals; they slap the water and grunt instead of barking.

Preparing for Your Sea Lion and Seal Encounter at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

Below are some tips to keep in mind to ensure you make the most of your sea lion and seal encounter:

• Arrive early at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to have enough time for check-in, recheck the schedule for the animal encounter, and join the pre-encounter orientation.
• Pay close attention to the animal care team’s guidance and follow all rules during the session.
• Bring a positive attitude and a sense of curiosity.
• Remember to be present in the moment during the encounter so you can fully enjoy your interaction with these fascinating marine mammals.

Learning some facts about seals and sea lions before visiting SeaWorld Abu Dhabi can give you a deeper appreciation of the experience. Once you’re up close with these animals during the encounter, you’ll understand why they never fail to captivate people of all ages.