Pinnipeds and Small Mammals — Mr. Van Arsdale

When you are done with this chapter, Mr. Van Arsdale’s students should take the quiz below.

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Sea otters are remarkable animals for several reasons, including the fact that they

eat other species of marine mammals

are keystone species, whose position in food chains is crucial in maintaining the ecological health of a kelp forest

are the deepest diving species of marine mammal

are the largest species of marine mammal

Which of the following traits can be found amongst all true seals (phocids)

No external ears

They can walk on their hind flippers

Large sexual dimorphism, large differences between males and females

Swim with propulsion from their front flippers

Select all of the appropriate characteristics of Otariids

Commonly referred to as sea lions and fur seals

Can walk on their hind flippers

Have external ears

Many species have large sexual dimorphism, large differences between males and females

Swim with propulsion from the movement of their hind flippers

Manatee's

tails are rounded and paddle-shaped, whereas dugongs tails are fluked (triangle shaped)

are slow moving carnivores

inhabit the North Pacific

tails are fluke (triangle shaped,) whereas dugongs tails are rounded and paddle-shaped

Polar bears are "of the sea" for which of the following reasons

The have wide paddle like feet and elongated necks making them good swimmers

They sometimes feed on the whale carcasses left over by Iniupiaq hunter

They are the largest of extant bear species

They den on land, but spend most of their time on the sea ice hunting

This is

a sea lion

a walrus

a manatee

a member of the family Phocidea

Walrus primarily eat

Kelp

Clams

Algae

Fish

Elephant seals come to the beaches of California to (select all correct answers)

Rest when they have been swimming too much

Mating and Giving birth

Molting (shedding their fur)

Avoiding predators like great white sharks

This is

a manatee

a seal

a Walrus

from the family Otariidae

10.

Physically walrus

are very similar to sea lions

are very similar to true seals

show a mix of traits between Phocids and Otariids

Are smaller than most other Pinnipeds