Order PINNIPEDIA. SEALS and WALRUSES 



Large mammals highly modified for an aquatic habitat, 

 but spending part of their existence on the seashore. 



Limbs fin-like, with loss of the normal terrestrial function; 

 toes fully webbed for swimming, first toe of forefoot and first 

 and fifth toes of hind foot longest; body prostrate in posture; 

 tail reduced and rudimentary; ears greatly reduced or absent; 

 eyes large, cornea flat; teeth always present, dentition often 

 highly specialized; hair varying with genera from coarse 

 bristles to the finest fur. 



Family Otariidae. Eared Seals, Sea-lions and 

 Fur Seals 



Active Seals with hind limbs capable of rotation forward; 

 forelimbs nearly as long as hind limbs; neck long; first and 

 fifth toes of hind foot lacking claws; webs of feet extending 

 beyond toes; small external ears present; upper incisors 

 notched; males larger than females; pelage with or without 

 underfur. 



The members of this family are much more active on land 

 than the Hair Seals. The family includes the species having 

 the greatest commercial value, the Fur Seals, and the common- 

 est of the large Seals, the Sea-lions. 



Genus Zalophus 

 Dentition.— Incisors, | ; Canines, \ ; Premolars, f ; Molars, { - 34. 



California Sea-lion.— Zalophus californianus 



General Description.— Size very large, males much larger 

 than females; no underfur; body form rather slender and 

 graceful compared with the Hair Seals; males much thicker 

 through shoulders than females and with a prominent, longi- 

 tudinal crest from between eyes to occiput. 



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