Family PHOCIDAE
Compiler and date details
December 2010 - Updated by Stephen M. Jackson, c/- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, following Van Dyck & Strahan (2008).
31 December 1998 - J.K. Ling (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Introduction
The earless seals are most often marine, but they will enter brackish and fresh water and some species are confined to land-locked freshwater lakes. Although sexual dimorphism exists, in most species the males are less conspicuously larger than females than in the otariids. The hind limbs are of little use terrestrial locomotion and there are well-developed nails on all five pedal digits. A short tail is present and the testes are abdominal.
Although found in warm waters, most phocids are associated with colder polar waters. Penguins, fish, crustaceans and cephalopods are included in the diet. Australian records of phocids in recent times are associated with vagrants or stranded migrants. Only the southern elephant seal was known to breed in Australian waters.
General References
King, J.E. 1989. Otariidae and Phocidae. pp. 1012-1029 in Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J. (eds). Fauna of Australia. Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1B 827 pp.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-Dec-2010 | 14-Dec-2010 | MODIFIED | ||
| 10-Dec-2010 | MODIFIED |