
But Why: What’s a seal? What’s a sea lion?
Published by But Why: May 2, 2025
What’s the difference between seals and sea lions? Do seals bark? Are they gray? Do harbor seals live in snowy regions? Why do sea lions eat fish? Why do sea lions fight each other?
Seals and sea lions are pinnipeds, fin-footed marine mammals, and we’re learning all about them today with a visit to The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, where marine biologist Adam Ratner answers all your pinniped questions!
Yes, I want to save a life!

Yes, I want to save a life!
You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.
See Our Latest News
{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/dane-whitaker-and-emily-whitmer-vaccine-trial-by-bill-hunnewell-49-0-1270-992-1757364612.jpg","alt":"Two veterinarians collect a blood sample from an elephant seal in a rehabilitation pen.","title":"Bird Flu Vaccine Trial May Offer Hope for Protecting Hawaiian Monk Seals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/bird-flu-vaccine-trial-may-offer-hope-for-protecting-hawaiian-monk-seals","label":"News Update","date":"2025-09-09 09:13:00"}

Bird Flu Vaccine Trial May Offer Hope for Protecting Hawaiian Monk Seals
September 9, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/2025\/cropped-images\/es-vaccine-trial-satellite-tag-by-bill-hunnewell-218-0-1270-992-1757432410.jpg","alt":"Northern elephant seal","title":"The New York Times: Scientists Begin Testing Bird Flu Vaccine in Seals","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/the-new-york-times-scientists-begin-testing-bird-flu-vaccine-in-seals","label":"In the News","date":"2025-09-09 02:00:00"}

The New York Times: Scientists Begin Testing Bird Flu Vaccine in Seals
September 9, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Sea otters\/2025\/cropped-images\/so-mooring-release-2-laurie-miller-c-the-marine-mammal-center-USFWS-permit-MA101713-1-80-0-1270-992-1757003194.jpg","alt":"A southern sea otter rests in the ocean after being released from rehabilitative care.","title":"Entangled in Ocean Trash, Sea Otter Mooring Gets a Second Chance at Life","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/entangled-in-ocean-trash-sea-otter-mooring-gets-a-second-chance-at-life","label":"Patient Update","date":"2025-09-05 02:00:00"}

Entangled in Ocean Trash, Sea Otter Mooring Gets a Second Chance at Life
September 5, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2025\/cropped-images\/denali-hs-photo-by-clive-beavis-c-the-marine-mammal-center-79-0-1270-992-1756314221.jpg","alt":"2026 marine mammal center calendar cover star","title":"Pacific Harbor Seal Denali Chosen as the 2026 Calendar Cover Star","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/vote-for-your-favorite-marine-mammal-to-be-the-2026-calendar-cover-star","label":"News Update","date":"2025-08-04 02:00:00"}

Pacific Harbor Seal Denali Chosen as the 2026 Calendar Cover Star
August 4, 2025
Read More