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A COLONY OF SEALS
Although seals and sea lions are known for their antics at marine parks, A Colony of Seals shows that these animals are even more fascinating and lovable in their natural habitat. Known as pinnipeds, these irresistible creatures are portrayed in 40 color photographs, most taken by world-famous naturalist Frank Balthis. These images cover a wide range of behavior among these social animals — everything from playful pups to nurturing mothers to raging males. Included is a worldwide survey of pinnipeds, with special sections devoted to harbor seals, sea lions, and the ever-intriguing elephant seals. A Colony of Seals reveals the wild life of one of nature's cutest, most beloved animals.
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Secrets of Seals and Sea Lions:
- A crabeater seal eats very little crab. Its main food is krill, a tiny shrimplike critter, found in huge numbers in Antarctic waters.
- In a land race, the crabeater seal could easily beat a human runner.
- On ice, the ribbon seal can slide faster than a man can run.
- Elephant seals can dive one mile deep—more than ten times deeper than a human diver can go.
- Walruses love clams, and suck them right out of their shells. It takes a thousand clams to make a walrus meal.
- All pinnipeds wear blubber under their skins. The layer of fat on a sea lion may be three inches thick.
- The champs at holding their breath underwater are elephant seals—their record is two hours.
- All pinnipeds swallow rocks. Some sea lions have 50 pounds of stones in their stomachs. No one knows why, either.
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To Learn More:
- Friends of the Elephant Seal: office at 250 San Simeon Ave. Suite 3B, San Simeon, CA 93452. 805/924-1628. Mail: PO Box 490, Cambria CA 93428. Community-based volunteer organization educates, sponsors programs, and has docents on hand year-round at the elephant seal rookery south of Piedras Blancas. Useful, kid-friendly website, with lots of good links: Website: www.elephantseal.org
- Año Nuevo State Reserve, Highway One, San Mateo County, 55 miles south of San Francisco; (650) 879-0227, (800) 444-4445. Interpretive program conducts guided walks for public and school tours, at the first mainland breeding colony for northern elephant seals. Website: www.parks.ca.gov/parkindex
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. One of 13 in the U.S., this marine sanctuary protects 276 miles of critical California coastline and nearshore, including both mainland elephant seal rookeries. MBNMS operates interpretive centers, sponsors Ocean Fairs, puts on community education programs. Along coastal Highway One, vista points and rich opportunities to see pinnipeds from elephant seals to sea lions. Website: www.mbnms.nos.noaa.gov
- The Marine Mammal Center, Operates rescue and rehab for pinnipeds; has volunteer program. Teacher resources, links to aquaria and helping agencies. Website: www.marinemammalcenter.org
- Seal Conservation Society. British-based membership group provides info, statistics about species worldwide. Good website with database and list of pinniped welfare and conservation organizations. Website: www.pinnipeds.org
- Earthwatch Institute, 3 Clock Tower Place, #100, Maynard MA 01754. Superb website: www.earthwatch.org. Kids can become members, learn about ongoing field work to save pinniped species, oceans, and habitats in jeopardy. Ages 16 and up can take part in over 150 expeditions each year.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey CA 93950. Incredibly rich website, with untold resources for kids, teachers, parents. Website: www.mbayaq.org
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