earless seal
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of seal lacking external ear flaps: An earless seal is a marine mammal belonging to the family Phocidae, characterized by the absence of visible external ear pinnae.
- A seal with a stiff, hairlike coat and hind limbs adapted into swimming flippers: It refers to seals that have a coarse fur coat and whose rear limbs are fully integrated into a streamlined body, serving as primary swimming propulsion.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The harbor seal is a common example of an earless seal found in coastal waters.
- Unlike sea lions, earless seals must drag themselves on land using their front flippers.
Advanced Usage
- In scientific classification: The term is used to distinguish members of the family Phocidae from the eared seals (Otariidae) within the group Pinnipedia.
- The study focused on the migratory patterns of earless seals in the Antarctic.
Variants and Related Words
- True seal: A common synonym for "earless seal."
- Phocid: The scientific/adjectival form relating to earless seals.
- Phocid seals have different skeletal structures compared to otariids.
Synonyms
- True seal
- Hair seal (in some contexts, though this can refer to specific species)
Related Phrases
- Bearded seal: A specific type of earless seal ().
- Elephant seal: The largest species of earless seal.
Noun
- any of several seals lacking external ear flaps and having a stiff hairlike coat with hind limbs reduced to swimming flippers