Read on Twitter
Because this very close, here's a thread about why phocids are much better than otariids! (1/14) https://twitter.com/BranArtworks/status/1318001199677923329
Phocids have crazy adaptations. Just look at the Hooded seal, they can turn their noses INSIDE OUT! Found in males, it's an adaptation to produce sounds, display their fitness, and attract mates. (2/14)
Next is the bearded seal. Their huge whiskers make it look like they "moustache you a question."
Image: Center for Biological Diversity (3/14)
Image: Center for Biological Diversity (3/14)
Next is the Lake Baikal seal. It's the only freshwater pinniped on the planet. Lake Baikal is in the middle of Siberia, how they got there is a mystery!
Image: Uryah (Wiki) (4/14)
Image: Uryah (Wiki) (4/14)
Monk seals are the best. They live in the tropics and are the most endangered seals on the planet. The hawaiian species is known for getting eels in its nose.
Image: NOAA (5/14)
Image: NOAA (5/14)
Elephant seals are the record breakers:
- Found in both Northern + Southern hemispheres
- Males are the largest pinnipeds
- They are the deepest diving pinnipeds (over 2000 meters!)
Also males and females display a lot of niche partitioning.
Image: E. Jones (6/14)
- Found in both Northern + Southern hemispheres
- Males are the largest pinnipeds
- They are the deepest diving pinnipeds (over 2000 meters!)
Also males and females display a lot of niche partitioning.
Image: E. Jones (6/14)
The Antarctic seals are all amazing. First off, the crabeater seal.
LOOK
AT
THOSE
TEETH!
They're for filter feeding!
Image: @DPHocking (7/14)
LOOK
AT
THOSE
TEETH!
They're for filter feeding!
Image: @DPHocking (7/14)
Leopard seals are known as the penguin-eating villains from Happy Feet. However, they can also filter feed.
Image: A. Nachoum (8/14)
Image: A. Nachoum (8/14)
Weddell seals are the only seal to stay in the Antarctic year round. Also, they can sing! 
(9/14)
(9/14)
Another reason phocids>otariids: In the past they were distributed around the world. Otariids spent most of their evolution in the North Pacific, while phocids ruled the world!
Image: Berta et al. 2018 (10/14)
Image: Berta et al. 2018 (10/14)
Extinct phocids are cool too: Check out Acrophoca, which has a long snoot!
Image: Reddit (11/14)
Image: Reddit (11/14)
Speaking of snoots, they hide a lot of neck in their blubber!
(12/14)
(12/14)
Also, when phocids move on land they bounce (they can't walk).
(13/14)
(13/14)
Anyway phocids rule, otariids drool!
