Seal vs Sea Lion: What's the Difference?
Seals and sea lions look similar but belong to different families. Here's how to tell them apart.
Quick Identification Guide
| Feature | True Seals | Sea Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Ears | No ear flaps | Visible ear flaps |
| Front Flippers | Short, furry | Long, skin-covered |
| Movement on Land | Wiggle on belly | Walk on flippers |
| Swimming | Use hind flippers | Use front flippers |
| Vocalization | Grunt softly | Loud barking |
Ear Differences
The easiest way to tell them apart:
True Seals (Phocidae)
- No external ear flaps
- Just small holes on sides of head
- Also called "earless seals"
Sea Lions (Otariidae)
- Visible ear flaps
- Small but clearly present
- Also called "eared seals"
Movement on Land
Seals
- Cannot rotate hind flippers forward
- "Inch" along on bellies like caterpillars
- Appear clumsy on land
- Much more graceful in water
Sea Lions
- Rotate hind flippers under body
- Actually "walk" on all four flippers
- More mobile on land
- Can even climb rocks
Swimming Style
Seals
- Propel with hind flippers in side-to-side motion
- Front flippers used for steering
- Very efficient swimmers
Sea Lions
- Propel with front flippers like wings
- "Fly" through the water
- Hind flippers used for steering
Social Behavior
Seals
- Generally more solitary
- Less vocal
- Spend more time in water
Sea Lions
- Highly social
- Very vocal (loud barking)
- Form large colonies on beaches
Common Species
True Seals
- Harbor seal
- Elephant seal
- Leopard seal
- Harp seal
- Weddell seal
Sea Lions
- California sea lion
- Steller sea lion
- Australian sea lion
- South American sea lion