Which pinniped family is reliably distinguished by possessing small, visible external ear flaps?
Answer
Otariidae
Eared seals (Otariidae) are characterized by having small, visible external ear flaps, differentiating them from true seals and walruses according to the classification table.
Related Questions
To which major biological order do seals belong, sharing ancestry with bears, cats, and dogs?What is the specific infraorder that exclusively includes seals, sea lions, and walruses?Which anatomical feature is distinctly absent in members of the family Phocidae (True Seals)?How do animals in the family Otariidae (Eared Seals/Sea Lions) move on land?What unique anatomical feature primarily defines the Walrus family (Odobenidae) among pinnipeds?Which set of limbs primarily provides propulsion for true seals (Phocidae) when swimming in the water?Current scientific understanding frequently positions Pinnipedia as what specific taxonomic rank within the larger Order Carnivora?Which pinniped family is reliably distinguished by possessing small, visible external ear flaps?What is the primary common name used for animals belonging specifically to the family Phocidae?What advantage does the locomotive method of True Seals provide them in the oceanic environment?