Sorry, but my biology background is catching up with me again. In addition to all the sea birds I photograph in an around San Diego, there’s also these cuties. Everyone points and says, “hey, look at the seals.” Sure, Jan. Those are sea lions. As the son of a marine biologist who studied sea lions, I have to point out the distinctions here
Seal or Sea Lion: How can you tell?
Sea lions have external ear flaps; seals just have ear holes
Sea lions can sit upright and walk on their front flippers; seals have to “slug” their way across the beach
Sea lions can rotate their hind flippers underneath themselves; seals cannot.
Sea lions won’t respond if you shout “hey, seal!” (Okay, I made that one up)
Here’s a harbor seal for comparison (they are pretty cute, too):
Okay, class dismissed!
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