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Be a Marine Mammal Hero

Hungry pups like elephant seal Davey are pouring through our doors. Yes, we are in the swing of pupping season, and that’s why your help is urgently needed.

What if I told you there’s a simple way you can have double the impact for good?

Today, your gift will help provide what a pup like Davey needs: double the fish meals to regain his strength for a second chance at life. How? Because your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000 when you give by Sunday, June 1.

Double my impact!
Elephant seal pup, Davey
large group of sea lions underwater

Seals, Sea Lions and Walruses

Learn More About Pinnipeds

The word "pinniped" means fin- or flipper-footed and refers to the marine mammals that have front and rear flippers. This group includes seals, sea lions and walruses -- animals that live in the ocean but are able to come on land for long periods of time. Learn the differences between seals and sea lions

Millions of years ago, the ancestors of pinnipeds lived on land. These were probably weasel- or bear-like animals that spent more and more time in the ocean and eventually adapted to this marine environment.

Pinnipeds are separated into three groups: earless seals, eared seals and walruses.

sea lion pup
harbor seal
Steller sea lion
northern fur seal with mouth open
Research Insight

Pinniped Research at The Marine Mammal Center

seals, sea lions, walrus, pacific harbor seal, northern elephant seal, california sea lion, stellar sea lion, northern fur seal, guadalupe fur seal, marine mammal information, facts