10 Incredible Facts About Seals That Will Surprise You

By Rajni Pandey | August 7, 2025

They Can Sleep Underwater

Seals can nap underwater by shutting down half of their brain at a time—this lets them rest and stay alert for predators.

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Not All Seals Have Ears

True seals (like harbor seals) lack external ears, unlike sea lions and fur seals which have visible ear flaps.

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Masters of Deep Diving

Some seals can dive over 1,500 feet deep and hold their breath for more than an hour thanks to special oxygen-storing muscles.

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They Wiggle to Move on Land

Unlike sea lions, seals don’t have rotating back flippers. So, they move on land by belly-flopping in a cute wiggle motion.

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They Use Whiskers to Hunt

Seals have ultra-sensitive whiskers that detect fish movements underwater, even in total darkness.

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Pups Recognize Mom’s Voice

Seal pups can pick out their mother’s call from hundreds, even in noisy, crowded colonies.

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Ice Isn’t Just a Home—It’s a Nursery

Many seal species give birth on sea ice. Harp seal pups are born with fluffy white fur to blend in and stay warm.

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Some Species Are Endangered

The Mediterranean monk seal is critically endangered, with fewer than 700 individuals left in the wild.

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They Can Be Surprisingly Fast

Despite their pudgy appearance, seals can swim at speeds up to 25 mph, rivaling even some sharks.

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They Communicate with Burps and Slaps

Seals make strange sounds—grunts, barks, even burps—and use slaps or bubbles to communicate underwater.

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