Seals are marine mammals. There are lots of kinds of seals. Scientists group them into three main types: true seals, eared seals, and walruses.
Most seals live in cold water. They spend their time in the sea, but also enjoy sunbathing on rocks or on the beach.
Seals have flippers at the ends of their arms and legs to help them swim. Some seals can swim as fast as 40 km per hour; others can dive down deeply.
Seals don't walk well on land. Some seals use their flippers to slide across ice. They can slide along as fast as 25 km per hour!
Seals have very good vision in water. The eye must focus in both air and water, so it is very large and round.
Seals hear very well in both water and air. Females and pups often call to each other. Seals may snort, hiss, growl, or sneeze.
Seals have a keen sense of smell in air, which allows them to detect predators. Most seals eat fish, squid and krill.
Time for a Rhyme
Sammy Seal will sail the sea
When summer is the season.
Sammy Seal will sail the sea
And never need a reason.
Sammy Seal will sail the sea
In very sunny weather.
Sammy Seal salutes a seagull
As they sail together.
