Who lives in the ocean? - Lesson Five

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 1st,2nd Grade

Introduction

Lesson 5 – Seal or Sea Lion? This lesson covers:  What are the differences between seals and sea lions?  What do seals eat?  How do seals breathe underwater? Learning activities:  Writing and discussion exercises on what has been learned.  Colour in sheet.

Instructions

Time: 45 minutes

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© Sea Shepherd 2022

Lesson 5 - Seal or sea lion?

This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd is a marine conservation organisation with a mission to protect the ocean and marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the ocean, running numerous direct action campaigns each year. Seals are one species that Sea Shepherd is fighting to protect.

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During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Seal family

There are around 33 species in the seal family, including seals, sea lions and walruses.
Some seal species have really low numbers and could disappear from the ocean if we don’t help protect them.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Seals

Ask students if they know the difference between a seal and a sea lion.  Use the images as a reference.

Seals and sea lions have different features.
Seals:
Ø Have smaller front flippers.
Ø They wriggle on bellies when on land.
Ø They don’t have ear flaps, have a visible ear hole.
Ø Their hind flippers point out.
Ø Fur covered long claws on hind flippers.
Ø Use hinder flippers when swimming.
Ø Seals are white to grey or black in colouring.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Sea lions

Sea lions:
Ø They can walk on land using large flippers.
Ø Are noisier – bark loudly.
Ø Have visible ear flaps.
Ø Their hind flippers rotate under body when on land.
Ø They use front flippers when swimming.
Ø Sea lions are brown colouring.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Seal life cycle

Use the image to explain the life cycle of seals.

What are seal babies called? – pups.
When they are born many seal pups have fur. They have to stay on land until the fur is gone and their fur coat has become waterproof.

Mum only feeds them for a few days or weeks, depending on species, and then they have to learn to swim and catch their own food.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

What do seals like to eat?

Seals like to eat fish, squid and krill.

The leopard seal is different, it actually eats other seals and penguins.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

How do seals breathe underwater?

Ask students: “How do seals breathe underwater?”

When we go under water, we hold our breath and use the oxygen in our lungs. Seals actually exhale oxygen before diving, then they breathe slowly using the oxygen in their blood stream.

Seals may only dive for a few minutes at a time, but they can stay underwater for much longer. Elephant seals can stay under water for up to two hours.

This video shows Australian sea lions on the beach and swimming, with a little snippet of a harp seal pup at the end:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG4aDgq7jUM

www.seashepherdglobal.org

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Refer Teachers Guide for learning activities.