My Science School

Mammals living in the sea can stay underwater for long periods of time. Their streamlined shape helps to make them very good at swimming.

Dolphins

Dolphins are fast swimmers and like to leap out of the water. Dolphins live in the world’s seas and oceans and in some rivers too. Some dolphin species prefer to live in coastal areas, others like shallow water but prefer to live away from the coast close to patches of shallower water which are located further out to sea. River dolphins such as the Amazon River dolphin and the South Asian river dolphins only live in fresh water rivers and lakes. Some dolphin species have populations that live in fresh water; these include the tucuxi Irrawaddy dolphin and finless porpoise.

Manatees

Manatees are slow-movers. There are three species of manatee, distinguished primarily by where they live. The West Indian manatee ranges along the North American east coast from Florida to Brazil. The Amazonian manatee species inhabit the Amazon River and the African manatee swims along the west coast and rivers of Africa.

Whales

Whales are the largest animals alive today. Some whales, like belugas, narwhals, and bowheads, typically spend their whole lives in arctic regions. While these animals still do migrate, they normally remain in arctic waters. Some strays have been observed outside of the arctic. For example, three belugas were seen in Rhode Island waters in 2015. A lone bowhead was seen off Cape Cod in 2012 and 2014.

There are few endemic cetaceans in warmer water, with a notable example being the near extinct vaquita in Mexico, along with some species of dolphins.

Seals

Seals dive deep looking for food. True seals typically live in the cold ocean waters of the Arctic or off the coasts of Antarctica. Some seals make caves in the snow to live in. Fur seals and sea lions live in the Northern Pacific between Asia and North America and off the coasts of South America, Antarctica, southwestern Africa and southern Australia.

Sea otters

This aquatic member of the weasel family is found along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. The sea otter spends most of its time in the water but, in some locations, comes ashore to sleep or rest. Sea otters have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water.

Picture Credit : Google