Pinnipeds Are Pleasing! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Leopard Seal

Living in the Antarctic cold isn't easy, so some of the younger leopard seals will migrate to warmer waters during the winter. While their favorite food is penguin, the leopard seal will also eat krill, squid, and other fish. The leopard seal is named for the distinctive spots that are found around its throat.

Have you ever heard the phrase "A leopard doesn't change its spots"? It means that a person's character will rarely change.

Answer: Elephant Seal

There are two species of elephant seals - the northern elephant seal and the southern elephant seal. Only males of the species have a large proboscis, which resembles an elephant's trunk. It is used to make very loud sounds - especially during the mating season - and also serves as a type of rebreather, allowing the animals to retain moisture from the air they exhale. Spending the majority of its life in the ocean, an elephant seal can hold its breath for up to 100 minutes!

While it is difficult to prove the old saying "An elephant never forgets", it is true that they have incredible memories; one even recognized a former acquaintance 22 years after their last meeting.

Answer: Harp Seal

Also called a saddleback seal, harp seal colonies are found in eastern Canada, eastern Greenland, and the White Sea coast of Russia. Even though they are called "earless" because they do not have any protruding ears, the harp seal has excellent hearing, unless their long ear canals become clogged with ear wax! In addition, they have excellent vision.

The harp seal has a harp-shaped pattern on its fin. Did you know that the harp is the national instrument of Ireland?

Answer: Grey Seal

Also called the Atlantic seal and the horsehead seal, the grey seal is found in a wide variety of areas, including the eastern coast of Canada, Iceland, the UK and Ireland, the Baltic Sea area, and the northern Scandinavian Peninsula. Even so, it is considered to be one of the rarest species of seals. There is a very large colony located at the Carrack rocks in Cornwall, England.

The hint refers to a song, "Grey Seal", by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin on the album, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Taupin has apparently commented that he has no idea what the lyrics to the song mean.

Answer: Spotted Seal

The spotted seal inhabits the area around the Bering Sea in the North Pacific Ocean. In the summertime they either live in the water or on the shore. Shy and solitary animals, spotted seals have a greyish-silver coat and are covered with, well, spots. During breeding season it is typical to see three spotted seals on the ice; the groups consists of the male, female, and her new pup.

Answer: Hooded Seal

The elastic nasal sac on a male hooded seal hangs between the eye and lower lip when deflated; it is inflated when the seal shuts one of its nasal valves and blows. The membrane then protrudes from the other nostril. Why? Well, mostly because it helps the male attract a mate.

Other reasons, however, include to show strength or aggression toward another male or to aid with the production of sounds and signals.

Answer: Bearded Seal

The whiskers on a bearded seal are used when looking for food on the ocean floor, and help the seal locate clams and other fish. In the Arctic regions of North America the bearded seal is hunted by both polar bears and the Inuit people. Because the skin of the bearded seal is tougher than other seals in the area, it is used for making shoes, harnesses, and even summer tents.

Answer: Walrus

The walrus is the only pinniped member of the family Odobenidae. Both the male and female walrus have tusks, which are used to break holes in the ice, help the walrus climb out of the water onto ice, and, for the males, show off their strength and size while fighting and trying to attract mates.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote "I Am the Walrus", which was released in 1967. It was heard in the film, "Magical Mystical Tour", and released on the B side of their hit, "Hello, Goodbye".

Answer: California Sea Lion

The California Sea Lion has been trained at zoos to entertain the crowds, however, their talents are being put to another use by the U.S. Navy these days. They have been trained to detect naval mines and enemy divers. In fact, they apparently have been put to work in the Persian Gulf area; it is said that they can swim behind an enemy diver undetected and attach a rope to the diver's leg. Not only that, but they are so fast that they can complete the job in seconds!

Naval Base San Diego is one of the largest U.S. Navy bases, and the main port of the Pacific Fleet. It is located in California.

Answer: Caspian Seal

The only habitat of the Caspian seal is the Caspian Sea. It is believed that they are descendants of ringed seals that were stranded in the area of the Caspian Sea when the last ice sheet melted. In the winter they live in the northern area of the sea, and migrate further south during the summer.

The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world. In some regions to the north the sea does have fresh water; it is mostly saltwater on the Iranian shore.