Seals and Sea Lions
 

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While most seals make their homes in colder climate, the Hawaiian monk seals prefer the warm, sandy beaches of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

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A baby harp seal rests on the Arctic ice. Its mother can distinguish it from hundreds of others by scent alone.

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Leopard seals, named for their spotted coats, are one of the primary predators of Antarctica.

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Weddell seals are known for their docile nature and are easily approached by humans.

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Fastest of the seals and sea lions, California sea lions can be seen gathered in colonies along the Pacific coastlines of North America.

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Fur seals belong to the class known as eared seals and have excellent hearing and sharp eyesight. They live in colonies on rocky beaches, but will spend weeks at a time in the water hunting.

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A large population of California sea lions inhabits the Gal�pagos Islands. This group is categorized as a separate subspecies from its relatives along the North American coast.

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Fur seals belong to the class known as eared seals and have excellent hearing and sharp eyesight. They live in colonies on rocky beaches, but will spend weeks at a time in the water hunting.

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At home on the coasts of Mexico and southern California, a northern elephant seal and her pup remain close together during the three months the pup nurses.

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The largest true seal, elephant seals can barely move on land, but are strong, agile swimmers. Males are much larger than the females and have a trunk-like nose, from which the species gets its name.