SEAL
WHERE DO SEALS LIVE?
Most seals live where there is plenty of salt water. They love to dive deeply into the water in order to find the best selection of fish. They tend to live in environments where they won’t be disturbed by humans or by predators. They enjoy land that has rocks and that is close to the water. They don’t move fast or easily on land so being able to get from the land to the water without using very much energy is important.
WHAT DO SEALS EAT?
Seals are carnivores that feed mostly on fish and crustaceans. They are very opportunistic hunters and mostly consume food in massive quantities. Harp seals usually feed on a variety of fish and other invertebrates.
SOME FACTS ABOUT SEALS:
Seals spend much of their life in water, but they mate, give birth to babies and take care of them on the shore. Thick fur and blubber offer protection against freezing temperatures. When they are on the land, they live in huge colonies with over thousand seals. Seal produce milk with 50% fats. Their babies gain 3-5 pounds daily thanks to milk.
Seals have more blood in their body than other animals. Since blood cells keep the oxygen, seal can dive longer than other animals. Seal can hold its breath for 2 hours which is a record in the animal world. When they dive, they decrease the heart rate for 50-80%. Elephant seal will decrease number of heart beats from 112 to 20-50 during diving. They can dive up to 1000-1300 feet deep when they are searching for food. They eat squids and fish usually.
Seals have whiskers that help them detect the vibration of the prey under water.
THREATS FOR SEALS
Around 150 years ago, there was about 9.5 million seals in the Arctic. Today, there is around 3 million. Humans are the main threat to the seals. The seals are being killed in vast numbers because the fishermen claim the seals are “depleting” the fish stock. Pups are also being killed because of their white fur. The fur would then be sold and made into fur coats. Boat strikes, oil spills, harassment by humans, and shooting are also other major threats to Harp Seals. Climate changes and over fishing are two another big problems for seals.
EXERCISES
A) For each statement say it is true or false
1.Seals live salty water. T F
2.They don't enjoy rocky lands. T F
3.They like eating fish. T F
4.They can dive up to 2000-2300 feet deep. T F
5.Seals have more blood in their body than other animals T F
B)Fill in the blanks
1.Seals like eating f.............
Seals have whiskers that help them detect the vibration of the prey under water.
THREATS FOR SEALS
Around 150 years ago, there was about 9.5 million seals in the Arctic. Today, there is around 3 million. Humans are the main threat to the seals. The seals are being killed in vast numbers because the fishermen claim the seals are “depleting” the fish stock. Pups are also being killed because of their white fur. The fur would then be sold and made into fur coats. Boat strikes, oil spills, harassment by humans, and shooting are also other major threats to Harp Seals. Climate changes and over fishing are two another big problems for seals.
EXERCISES
A) For each statement say it is true or false
1.Seals live salty water. T F2.They don't enjoy rocky lands. T F
3.They like eating fish. T F
4.They can dive up to 2000-2300 feet deep. T F
5.Seals have more blood in their body than other animals T F
4.They can dive up to 2000-2300 feet deep. T F
5.Seals have more blood in their body than other animals T F
B)Fill in the blanks
1.Seals like eating f.............
2.They don’t m........... fast or easily on land
3.Seals are c.......... that feed mostly on fish
4. Climate changes and o........ f......... are big problems for seals.
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