Who are pinnipeds? Detailed answer

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Who are pinnipeds? Detailed answer

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Who are pinnipeds?

Pinnipeds are mammals whose limbs have turned into fins, which they use when swimming as oars. The three main families of pinnipeds are walruses, sea lions and seals. All of them are carnivores. These aquatic predators have the same ancestors as those of the earth, such as dogs, cats, and bears. Probably millions of years ago, one group of carnivores moved into the sea and gradually adapted to life in it.

Now about thirty species of pinnipeds live in the world's oceans. Most of them live in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean and in the parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans surrounding Antarctica. Several species of them live in warm waters, and even fewer in fresh water lakes.

Since pinnipeds spend most of their lives in the water, they have adapted very well to such an existence. They are all excellent swimmers. Their bodies are streamlined, with a thick layer of fat underneath their skin that adds to their buoyancy and helps retain heat. The fat layer also serves as a food reserve when necessary. Pinnipeds are first-class divers. They can dive underwater in search of food to a depth of sixty to ninety meters. Many of them have large eyes that see well in the dark depths of the sea. When pinnipeds are underwater, their nostrils close. Most of them have sharp, backward-curved teeth with which they grab and hold prey, and then send it down the throat.

Pinnipeds are collectivists and live together for a long time in large herds, especially during the mating season and when cubs are born. All of them, intending to bear offspring, return to the earth, in any case, to the coastal edge of the ice. Young pup seals, sea lions and walruses are born sighted, and their body is covered with thick hair or down.

Author: Likum A.

Random interesting fact from the Great Encyclopedia:

What is the longest bike in the world?

One of the fruits of the creative flight of thought of the designers was the world's longest tandem bike. Its length was 20,4 meters, and it easily fit 35 cyclists.

The design was made by the Belgian company Pedalstompers. On April 20, 1979, this miracle set off on its first journey. True, the bike drove only 60 meters, after which, with screams and a terrible roar, all thirty-five participants in the grand race fell to the asphalt. The lack of coordination of the team affected. By the way, it is impossible to lift this tandem alone, since it weighs 1100 kilograms.

New Zealander Terry Tesman was more fortunate. He built a bicycle 22,24 meters long, which weighed 340 kilograms. His offspring overcame February 27, 1988 as much as 246 meters: after all, he weighed less and managed much better.

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