EARLESS SEAL Meaning and
Definition
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An earless seal, also commonly known as a true seal, is a type of marine mammal belonging to the family Phocidae. It is characterized by its distinctive lack of external ear flaps, giving it the name "earless seal." Earless seals have a streamlined body shape with a tapered head, and they are well-adapted to life in the water. These seals are found in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as in temperate and sub-Arctic coastal waters.
The absence of external ear flaps is a defining characteristic that distinguishes earless seals from other species in the seal family. Instead of prominent ear structures, earless seals have small, inconspicuous openings called pinhole ears, which are sufficient for hearing underwater. Another distinctive feature of these seals is their lack of clawed front flippers, as opposed to eared seals or sea lions.
Earless seals are carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish, squid, and crustaceans. They have sharp teeth and powerful jaws that enable them to catch and consume their prey underwater. These seals are skilled divers and can stay submerged for extended periods, relying on their excellent swimming abilities and streamlined bodies.
Due to their specialized adaptations for swimming and hunting, earless seals spend most of their lives in the water. They typically breed and give birth on land or ice, forming colonies. These seals play a vital role in marine ecosystems, contributing to the balance of species populations and serving as indicators of the overall health of aquatic environments.
Common Misspellings for EARLESS SEAL
- warless seal
- sarless seal
- darless seal
- rarless seal
- 4arless seal
- 3arless seal
- ezrless seal
- esrless seal
- ewrless seal
- eqrless seal
- eaeless seal
- eadless seal
- eafless seal
- eatless seal
- ea5less seal
- ea4less seal
- earkess seal
- earpess seal
- earoess seal
Etymology of EARLESS SEAL
The etymology of the word "earless seal" can be broken down as follows:
1. Earless: In this context, "earless" refers to the fact that seals (and sea lions) do not have external ear flaps like other marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. The term derives from the Old English word "eare" meaning "ear" and the suffix "-less" meaning "without".
2. Seal: The word "seal" comes from the Middle English "sele" which came from the Old English "seolh", and ultimately from the Proto-Germanic word "*selinaz". The exact origin of this word is uncertain, but it is thought to have originated from an early Germanic word meaning "a large, gray marine mammal".
Similar spelling words for EARLESS SEAL
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