Seal

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/seal

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Order Pinnipedia
2. How do seals stay warm in cold water?Seals have a thick layer of blubber under their skin that keeps them warm and stores energy for when they fast during breeding or molting.
3. Why can seals dive for so long?Seals have special breathing and heart systems that let them hold their breath for over an hour, using a lower heart rate and storing oxygen in their muscles.

Pinniped: A diverse group of marine mammals that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses.
Bradycardia: A significant slowing of the heart rate during diving to conserve oxygen.
Vibrissae: Highly sensitive whiskers used by seals to detect subtle water movements and locate prey.
Ecological Niche: The role and position a species has in its environment, including how it meets its needs for food and shelter.