Seal pup, Lundy Island, England

© Henley Spiers/Minden Picture

Seal pup, Lundy Island, England

Seals are amazing aquatic mammals that have evolved to live in the water. They are distinguished by their webbed feet, sleek, torpedo-shaped bodies, and blubber covering that keeps them warm in chilly waters. Seals can hold their breath for long periods of time and can dive to considerable depths in search of food, making them superb divers. They occur in a range of sizes and colours and can be found all over the planet, from the arctic to the tropics. Seals contribute significantly to the health of their ecosystems by acting as prey for larger predators and assisting in the control of fish and other marine animal populations.