Sea Lion vs. Seal: A Simple Guide to Telling Them Apart
Sea lions and seals are both pinnipeds, a group of marine mammals that also includes fur seals and walruses. The most reliable way to tell them apart in the field is to look at the ears, the flippers, and the way they move on land. Sea lions have visible external ear flaps, long forward-rotating hind flippers that they use to walk on land, and they swim primarily with their foreflippers. True seals lack external ear flaps, have short hind flippers that cannot rotate forward, and move on land by undulating their bodies. They swim primarily with their hind flippers. This guide is written for students, researchers, life-science professionals, and informed general readers who need a practical, evidence-based method for distinguishing these animals in the wild, in photographs, or in scientific records.
At a Glance
The table below summarizes the key physical and behavioral differences between sea lions and true seals. Use this as a quick reference when you are in the field or reviewing observational data.
| Feature | Sea Lions (Otariidae) | True Seals (Phocidae) |
|---|---|---|
| External ear flaps | Present, small and visible | Absent, only a small opening or hole |
| Hind flippers | Long, can rotate forward under the body | Short, cannot rotate forward |
| Movement on land | Walks on all four flippers | Undulates or wriggles on the belly |
| Swimming style | Foreflipper propulsion | Hind flipper propulsion |
| Fur appearance | Dense undercoat with coarse guard hairs | Short, stiff fur that is often spotted or patterned |
| Social behavior | Often gather in large noisy groups | More solitary or in smaller groups |
| Vocalization | Loud barking | Softer grunts or growls |
Understanding the Pinniped Family Tree
Pinnipeds are divided into three families. The Otariidae family includes sea lions and fur seals. The Phocidae family includes true seals, also called earless seals. The Odobenidae family contains only the walrus. Knowing which family an animal belongs to is the first step in identification because the physical differences between families are more consistent than differences within a family.
The evolutionary history of these groups explains many of the physical differences you observe. Pinnipeds evolved from land-dwelling carnivores that returned to the sea. Research on the vertebral column of pinnipeds shows that the backbone has been reorganized from the pattern seen in their terrestrial relatives. The study, published in Communications Biology in 2023, used 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify shape variation among presacral vertebrae. The results indicate that the vertebral column of pinnipeds has experienced a decrease in the strength of integration among all presacral vertebrae when compared to terrestrial carnivores. Separate analyses of Otariidae and Phocidae suggest different axial organizations in these two groups. Phocids present a set of integrated thoracic vertebrae, while otariids show no set of vertebrae with high integration. The researchers hypothesize that these differences are linked to their specific modes of aquatic locomotion, pelvic oscillation for phocids and pectoral oscillation for otariids. This means the way each group swims is written into the structure of their spines.
For practical identification, this evolutionary context matters because it explains why sea lions and seals look and move so differently. The foreflipper-driven swimming of sea lions requires a more flexible spine and longer foreflippers. The hind flipper-driven swimming of true seals requires a different spinal arrangement and shorter foreflippers.
Physical Characteristics for Field Identification
Ears
The presence or absence of external ear flaps is the single most reliable feature for distinguishing sea lions from true seals. Sea lions have small, visible external ear flaps, called pinnae, on the sides of their heads. True seals have no external ear flaps. They have a small opening on each side of the head that closes tightly when they dive.
When observing an animal from a distance, look at the silhouette of the head. A sea lion will show a small bump on each side of the head where the ear flap attaches. A true seal will have a smooth head profile with no visible ear bumps. This feature is visible even when the animal is swimming with only its head above water.
Flippers
The structure and function of the flippers provide another clear distinction. Sea lions have long, hairless foreflippers that are thick and paddle-like. They use these foreflippers for propulsion in the water. Their hind flippers are also long and can be rotated forward under the body. This rotation allows sea lions to walk on land using all four flippers.
True seals have shorter foreflippers that are covered with fur and have claws on the digits. These foreflippers are used mainly for steering and balance in the water, not for propulsion. Their hind flippers are short and cannot rotate forward. On land, true seals cannot walk. They move by undulating their bodies in a caterpillar-like motion, pushing with their foreflippers and dragging their hindquarters.
The bio-robotic study of a California sea lion foreflipper, published in Biomimetics in 2025, provides detailed insight into how these flippers generate force. The study characterized the time-varying thrust and lift produced by a bio-robotic sea lion foreflipper. The results show that the propulsive stroke functions as a tunable hybrid system. The power phase acts as a force-vectoring mechanism where the flipper twist angle reorients the resultant force vector. Thrust is maximized in a broad range peaking near 45 degrees of twist, while lift increases monotonically to 90 degrees. The paddle phase operates as a flow-insensitive, geometrically driven thruster where twist angle regulates thrust by altering the presented surface area. This research confirms that the foreflipper of a sea lion is a highly specialized propulsion organ, not a steering fin.
Body Shape and Fur
Sea lions have a streamlined body with a relatively long neck and a dog-like snout. Their fur consists of a dense undercoat covered by coarse guard hairs. The color ranges from brown to dark brown, and males are typically darker and larger than females.
True seals have a more rounded body with a shorter neck and a cat-like or cow-like snout. Their fur is short and stiff, often with spots, rings, or blotches. Harbor seals, for example, have a distinctive spotted pattern that varies from light gray to dark brown with darker spots. The fur of true seals is less dense than that of sea lions because they rely more on a thick layer of blubber for insulation.
Size
Size can help with identification, but it varies greatly by species and sex. In general, sea lions are larger and more robust than true seals of the same region. Male sea lions can be significantly larger than females, a condition called sexual dimorphism. For example, adult male California sea lions can reach lengths of about 2.4 meters and weigh up to 390 kilograms, while females are smaller. True seals also show sexual dimorphism, but the size difference between males and females is often less pronounced than in sea lions.
Behavioral Differences
Movement on Land
The most obvious behavioral difference is how these animals move on land. Sea lions walk using all four flippers. They can lift their bodies off the ground and move with a walking or galloping gait. This is possible because their hind flippers rotate forward. True seals cannot lift their bodies off the ground. They move by undulating their bodies, a motion that is often described as bouncing or wriggling. This difference is immediately visible when you observe animals on a beach or haul-out site.
Swimming Style
In the water, sea lions swim using their foreflippers in a rowing or flapping motion. They are agile and fast, capable of sharp turns and bursts of speed. True seals swim using their hind flippers in a side-to-side sculling motion. Their foreflippers are pressed against the body or used for steering. The vertebral column research published in Communications Biology in 2023 supports this distinction. The different axial organizations in otariids and phocids are linked to their specific modes of aquatic locomotion, pectoral oscillation for sea lions and pelvic oscillation for true seals.
Social Structure
Sea lions are highly social animals that gather in large colonies on beaches and rocky shores. These colonies can number in the hundreds or thousands. They are noisy, with males barking loudly to establish territories and attract females. True seals are generally more solitary. They may gather in groups on haul-out sites, but these groups are usually smaller and less structured than sea lion colonies. True seals are also quieter, communicating with soft grunts, growls, and hisses instead of loud barks.
Foraging Behavior
Foraging strategies differ between the two groups and even within species. A study of southern sea lions published in Oecologia in 2015 examined individual foraging specializations. The researchers used biologging devices and stable isotope analysis of vibrissae, or whiskers, to quantify patterns of individual specialization. They revealed two discrete foraging strategies in southern sea lions, inshore and offshore. The majority of adult females foraged offshore, traveling further and diving deeper than those that foraged inshore. Stable isotope analysis revealed long-term fidelity to these discrete foraging habitats. This research shows that sea lions can have complex and varied foraging behaviors that are not uniform across a population.
True seals also show variation in foraging behavior. A study published in Oecologia in 1999 used isotopic tracking to investigate foraging locations in northeastern Pacific pinnipeds. The study compared carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions in bone collagen of northern fur seals, harbor seals, California sea lions, and northern elephant seals. Nearshore-foraging harbor seals had higher carbon isotope values than offshore-foraging northern elephant seals at similar latitudes. The researchers concluded that carbon isotope patterns result from differences in the carbon isotope composition of organic carbon at the base of the food web. This means that where an animal feeds, nearshore or offshore, can be detected in its tissues.
Sensory Adaptations
Whiskers
The whiskers, or vibrissae, of seals and sea lions are highly sensitive sensory organs used for detecting prey in the water. Research published in npj Flexible Electronics in 2026 examined the functional role of whisking in seal whisker sensing. The study showed that undulated harbor seal whiskers exhibit threefold lower vortex-induced vibrations and over fiftyfold higher signal-to-noise ratio than California sea lion whiskers. The researchers developed a bionic seal muzzle with 30 natural whiskers per side capable of whisking at variable angles and frequencies. Their results indicate that undulatory morphology and active whisker protraction are essential for seals to achieve sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio to track prey trails.
This research has practical implications for understanding how these animals hunt. True seals, with their undulated whiskers, are adapted for detecting the hydrodynamic trails left by prey. Sea lions have smoother whiskers that are less sensitive to vortex-induced vibrations. This difference reflects the different hunting strategies of the two groups. True seals often hunt in dark or turbid water where visual cues are limited, relying on their whiskers to detect prey. Sea lions hunt in clearer water and rely more on vision.
Vision and Hearing
Both sea lions and true seals have excellent vision adapted for underwater and aerial viewing. Their eyes are large and positioned on the sides of the head, giving them a wide field of view. They have a reflective layer behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum, which enhances vision in low light conditions.
Hearing is also well developed in both groups. Sea lions have external ear flaps that may help with directional hearing in air. True seals lack external ear flaps but have excellent underwater hearing. Both groups can hear a wide range of frequencies, including ultrasonic frequencies used by some prey species.
Habitat and Distribution
Sea lions and true seals occupy different but overlapping habitats. Sea lions are found primarily in the Pacific Ocean, from the Bering Sea to the southern tip of South America. They prefer coastal areas with rocky shores, sandy beaches, and offshore islands. They are often seen hauled out on docks, buoys, and jetties in addition to natural sites.
True seals have a wider distribution. They are found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as in the Arctic and Antarctic. Harbor seals, for example, are found along the coasts of the North Atlantic and North Pacific. They prefer sheltered coastal waters, estuaries, and bays. Elephant seals, which are true seals, are found in the eastern Pacific and the Southern Ocean. They spend most of their lives at sea and come ashore only to breed and molt.
The habitat preferences of these animals affect where you are likely to see them. Sea lions are more likely to be seen in harbors and near human structures. True seals are more likely to be seen on remote beaches and rocky shores. However, there is considerable overlap in their ranges, and both groups can be found in the same areas.
Health and Contaminant Monitoring
Mercury Exposure
Marine mammals, including sea lions and true seals, can accumulate environmental contaminants in their tissues. A study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases in 2019 measured total mercury concentrations in hair and blood of live-stranded harbor seals, California sea lions, and northern elephant seals in California. The study found a wide range of mercury concentrations in blood and hair. Northern elephant seals had higher mercury concentrations compared with harbor seals and California sea lions. All three species had individuals with mercury concentrations that exceeded the lower threshold for one or both matrices, but only harbor seal pups had concentrations exceeding upper thresholds.
This research has practical implications for wildlife managers and veterinarians. When assessing the health of stranded pinnipeds, mercury exposure should be considered. The study also validated the use of blood-soaked cellulose paper as a sampling method. The relationship between mercury concentrations in blood and filter paper was strong, and differences had little influence on comparisons with toxicologic thresholds. This means that filter paper sampling can be used in field conditions where blood collection and storage are difficult.
Stable Isotope Analysis
Stable isotope analysis is a common tool for studying the foraging ecology of marine mammals. A study published in Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry in 2022 examined the effects of lipid extraction on stable isotope values in marine predators. The study used white muscle and liver samples from two species of sharks and skin samples from two species of pinnipeds, sea lion and fur seal. Lipid extraction significantly decreased sulfur isotope values in shark tissues but did not affect sulfur isotope values from pinniped skin samples. After lipid extraction, consistent increases in carbon isotope values were detected, especially in tissue with high lipid content. For pinniped skin samples, nitrogen isotope values were not significantly lower after lipid extraction.
This research is important for researchers who use stable isotope analysis to study pinniped foraging ecology. The effects of lipid extraction on isotope values depend on the tissue type and the species. Researchers must consider these effects when interpreting results from different tissues.
Veterinary and Medical Considerations
Anesthesia and Surgery
Pinnipeds have unique diving physiology that affects how they respond to anesthesia and surgery. A case report published in Animals in 2025 described the use of sugammadex for reversing rocuronium and acceleromyography for monitoring neuromuscular block in a California sea lion undergoing lensectomy. Rocuronium was used to achieve complete neuromuscular blockade, and an additional dose was administered to prolong the block. Sugammadex reversed the neuromuscular blockade with recovery within 90 seconds. Neuromuscular function was monitored using acceleromyography with the ulnar nerve of the foreflipper as the stimulation site.
This case report is the first documentation of the use of sugammadex for the reversal of rocuronium and acceleromyography for neuromuscular monitoring in a sea lion. The successful application highlights the potential of these techniques to improve anesthesia protocols, patient safety, and welfare in marine mammal medicine. For veterinarians working with pinnipeds, this information is relevant when planning surgical procedures that require neuromuscular blocking agents.
Orthopedic Conditions
Orthopedic conditions can affect pinnipeds in captivity and in the wild. A case report published in Animals in 2025 described the diagnosis and treatment of an ununited anconeal process in a California sea lion. The anconeal process is a bony projection on the ulna that forms part of the elbow joint. An ununited anconeal process is a developmental condition where this projection fails to fuse with the rest of the bone. This condition is more commonly seen in domestic dogs but can occur in other species.
For veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators, this case report provides information on diagnosing and treating orthopedic conditions in sea lions. Early diagnosis and appropriate surgical intervention can improve outcomes for affected animals.
Cardiovascular Anatomy
The cardiovascular system of pinnipeds is adapted for diving. A study published in the Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals in 2024 examined the gross anatomy and histology of the heart and great vessels of a leopard seal. The study focused on pinniped physiology, cardiovascular system, diving adaptations, and histology. Understanding the cardiovascular anatomy of pinnipeds is important for veterinarians who treat these animals and for researchers who study their diving physiology.
The heart of a leopard seal, like other pinnipeds, is adapted to withstand the pressures of deep diving. The great vessels are structured to accommodate changes in blood flow during dives. This information is relevant for veterinary care and for understanding the physiological limits of these animals.
Practical Identification Workflow
When you encounter a pinniped and need to identify it as a sea lion or a true seal, follow this step-by-step workflow.
Step 1: Observe the Ears
Look at the head. If you see small external ear flaps on the sides of the head, the animal is a sea lion or a fur seal. If the head is smooth with no visible ear flaps, the animal is a true seal. This is the most reliable feature and should be your first check.
Step 2: Observe the Animal on Land
If the animal is on land, watch how it moves. If it walks on all four flippers with its body lifted off the ground, it is a sea lion or a fur seal. If it undulates or wriggles on its belly, it is a true seal. This behavioral difference is easy to observe and confirms the ear check.
Step 3: Observe the Flippers
If the animal is in the water, look at the flippers when they are visible. Sea lions have long, hairless foreflippers that they use for propulsion. True seals have shorter, furred foreflippers that they hold against the body when swimming. The hind flippers of sea lions are long and can be seen rotating forward when the animal surfaces. The hind flippers of true seals are short and trail behind the body.
Step 4: Observe the Swimming Style
Watch how the animal swims. Sea lions swim with a rowing motion of the foreflippers. True seals swim with a side-to-side sculling motion of the hind flippers. This difference is visible when the animal is swimming at the surface.
Step 5: Record Your Observations
Record the date, time, location, and your observations. Note the presence or absence of ear flaps, the movement pattern on land, the flipper structure, and the swimming style. If possible, take photographs or video for later confirmation. These records are valuable for citizen science projects and for wildlife monitoring programs.
Records and Measurements
Keeping accurate records is essential for researchers, wildlife managers, and citizen scientists who observe pinnipeds. The following measurements and observations are useful for identification and for contributing to scientific databases.
Morphometric Measurements
When working with stranded or captured animals, standard morphometric measurements include body length, body weight, flipper length, and axillary girth. These measurements can help confirm species identification and assess body condition. For sea lions, the foreflipper length is typically longer relative to body length than in true seals. The hind flipper structure also differs, with sea lions having longer, more flexible hind flippers.
Behavioral Observations
Record the behavior of the animal, including whether it is alone or in a group, whether it is vocalizing, and how it moves on land or in the water. Note the habitat type, such as sandy beach, rocky shore, or pier. These observations can help distinguish between species that look similar at a distance.
Photographic Records
Photographs are valuable for confirming identification and for documenting individual animals. Take photos of the head, showing the ears, the full body, and the flippers. If the animal is on land, take a photo showing the movement posture. If the animal is in the water, take photos of the swimming style. Store these photos with the date, time, and location information.
Tissue Samples
For researchers studying foraging ecology or contaminant exposure, tissue samples are essential. Hair, blood, and skin samples can be collected from stranded or captured animals. The mercury study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases in 2019 used hair and blood samples from stranded pinnipeds. The study validated the use of blood-soaked cellulose paper as a sampling method, which is useful in field conditions. Stable isotope analysis can be performed on skin samples, as described in the Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry study from 2022.
Common Failure Patterns in Identification
Even experienced observers can make identification errors. The following are common failure patterns and how to avoid them.
Confusing Fur Seals with Sea Lions
Fur seals are members of the Otariidae family, like sea lions. They have external ear flaps and can walk on land. The main difference is that fur seals have a thicker undercoat and a more pointed snout. In some regions, fur seals and sea lions are found together, and they can be difficult to distinguish at a distance. Look for the snout shape and the fur texture. Fur seals have a denser, softer undercoat that gives them a fluffier appearance.
Misidentifying Juvenile Animals
Juvenile sea lions and true seals can look more similar than adults. Juvenile sea lions have smaller ear flaps and less developed foreflippers. Juvenile true seals may have a more elongated body. When identifying juveniles, use multiple features instead of relying on a single characteristic. Check the ears, the flipper structure, and the movement pattern.
Relying on Color Alone
Color is not a reliable identification feature. Both sea lions and true seals vary in color within and between species. Harbor seals can be light gray, dark brown, or almost black, with spots that vary in density. California sea lions range from light brown to dark brown. Use structural features such as ears and flippers instead of color.
Observing from a Poor Angle
The angle of observation can affect what you see. From directly above, the ear flaps of a sea lion may be hidden. From a distance, the movement pattern on land may be difficult to see. Move to a better vantage point or wait for the animal to change position before making an identification.
Welfare and Safety Context
Observing Pinnipeds in the Wild
When observing pinnipeds in the wild, maintain a safe distance. Pinnipeds can move quickly on land and in the water, and they may bite if they feel threatened. Adult males, especially during the breeding season, can be aggressive. Females with pups are protective and may attack if approached. Use binoculars or a telephoto lens to observe animals without approaching too closely.
Stranded Animals
If you encounter a stranded pinniped, do not approach it. Stranded animals may be sick or injured, and they can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans. Contact local wildlife authorities or a marine mammal stranding network. Provide them with the location, the species if you can identify it, and a description of the animal's condition. Do not attempt to push the animal back into the water. A stranded animal may be on the beach for a reason, such as illness, injury, or molting.
Zoonotic Disease Risk
Pinnipeds can carry zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Marine caliciviruses, for example, have been detected in sea lions. A study published in the Journal of Virological Methods in 1999 described a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction procedure for the detection of marine caliciviruses, including San Miguel sea lion virus. These viruses can cause vesicular lesions in marine mammals and have the potential to infect other species. When handling pinnipeds or their tissues, use appropriate personal protective equipment and follow biosafety protocols.
Mercury Exposure in Subsistence Harvest
In some regions, pinnipeds are harvested for subsistence purposes. The mercury study published in the Journal of Wildlife Diseases in 2019 found that some stranded harbor seal pups had mercury concentrations exceeding upper thresholds of concern. Communities that rely on pinnipeds for food should be aware of the potential for mercury exposure and should follow local health advisories.
Professional Escalation Criteria
Knowing when to escalate an observation to a professional is important for wildlife management and public safety. The following situations warrant contacting a wildlife professional, veterinarian, or stranding network.
Sick or Injured Animals
If you observe a pinniped that appears sick or injured, contact a wildlife professional. Signs of illness or injury include lethargy, difficulty breathing, visible wounds, discharge from the eyes or nose, and abnormal posture. Do not approach the animal. Provide the professional with the location and a description of the animal's condition.
Aggressive Animals
If a pinniped is behaving aggressively toward people or pets, contact local authorities. Aggressive behavior can indicate rabies, though this is rare in pinnipeds, or it can indicate that the animal is protecting its young or territory. Do not attempt to interact with the animal.
Unusual Mortality Events
If you observe multiple dead or dying pinnipeds in one area, contact a wildlife agency. Unusual mortality events can indicate disease outbreaks, harmful algal blooms, or environmental contamination. Prompt reporting allows professionals to investigate and respond.
Animals in Unusual Locations
If you observe a pinniped in an unusual location, such as far inland or in a freshwater river, contact a wildlife professional. The animal may be disoriented, sick, or injured. Do not attempt to capture or move the animal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a sea lion and a seal?
The main difference is the presence of external ear flaps. Sea lions have small visible ear flaps on the sides of their heads. True seals have no external ear flaps, only a small opening. This feature is visible even at a distance and is the most reliable way to tell the two groups apart.
Can sea lions and seals interbreed?
Sea lions and true seals belong to different families within the pinniped group. They are not known to interbreed in the wild. The genetic and chromosomal differences between the families are too great for successful reproduction.
Do sea lions and seals live in the same areas?
Sea lions and true seals have overlapping ranges in many regions. Both can be found along the Pacific coast of North America, for example. However, they often prefer different habitats. Sea lions are more likely to be seen in harbors and near human structures, while true seals prefer more remote beaches and rocky shores.
How can I tell a fur seal from a sea lion?
Fur seals and sea lions are both members of the Otariidae family and have external ear flaps. The main differences are the snout shape and the fur. Fur seals have a more pointed snout and a denser undercoat that gives them a fluffier appearance. Sea lions have a more dog-like snout and a coarser coat.
Why do sea lions bark but seals do not?
Sea lions are highly social animals that live in large colonies. They use loud barks to establish territories, attract mates, and communicate with other members of the colony. True seals are more solitary and quieter. They communicate with soft grunts, growls, and hisses instead of loud barks.
Are sea lions more dangerous than seals?
Both sea lions and true seals can be dangerous if approached too closely. Adult male sea lions can be aggressive, especially during the breeding season. True seals can also bite if they feel threatened. The best approach is to maintain a safe distance and observe from afar.
How deep can sea lions and seals dive?
Diving depths vary by species. A study of southern sea lions published in Oecologia in 2015 found that adult females that foraged offshore dived to an average depth of 75 meters, while those that foraged inshore dived to an average depth of 21 meters. Some true seals, such as elephant seals, can dive much deeper, to depths of over 1,000 meters.
What should I do if I find a stranded seal or sea lion?
Do not approach the animal. Contact local wildlife authorities or a marine mammal stranding network. Provide them with the location, the species if you can identify it, and a description of the animal's condition. Do not attempt to push the animal back into the water or feed it.
Related Articles
References and Further Reading
- NCBI Literature Resources. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- PubMed. National Library of Medicine.
- The impact of the land-to-sea transition on evolutionary integration and modularity of the pinniped backbone.. Communications biology, 2023.
- Diving deeper into individual foraging specializations of a large marine predator, the southern sea lion.. Oecologia, 2015.
- HAIR, WHOLE BLOOD, AND BLOOD-SOAKED CELLULOSE PAPER-BASED RISK ASSESSMENT OF MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN STRANDED CALIFORNIA PINNIPEDS.. Journal of wildlife diseases, 2019.
- Lipid extraction has tissue-dependent effects on isotopic values (δ(34) S, δ(13) C, and δ(15) N) from different marine predators.. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM, 2022.
- Development of a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction procedure for the detection of marine caliciviruses with potential application for nucleotide sequencing.. Journal of virological methods, 1999.
- Isotopic tracking of foraging and long-distance migration in northeastern Pacific pinnipeds.. Oecologia, 1999.
- Soft bionic actuation explains the functional role of whisking in seal whisker sensing.. 2026.
- Sugammadex and Acceleromyography Used During a Lensectomy in a Sea Lion (<,i>,Zalophus californianus<,/i>,).. 2025.
- Propulsive Force Characterization of a Bio-Robotic Sea Lion Foreflipper: A Kinematic Basis for Agile Propulsion.. 2025.
- Diagnosis and Treatment of an Ununited Anconeal Process in a California Sea Lion (<,i>,Zalophus californianus<,/i>,).. 2025.
- Manatee cognition and behavior: a neurobiological perspective on an unusual constellation of senses and a unique brain.. 2025.
- Gross anatomy and histology of the heart and great vessels of a leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx). Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, 2024.
- Computational analysis of endovascular aortic repair proximal seal zone preservation with endoanchors: A case study in cylindrical neck anatomy. JVS: Vascular Science, 2021.
- Accuracy of ARGOS locations of pinnipeds at-sea estimated using fastloc GPS. Plos One, 2010.
This article is educational and does not replace institutional policy, professional advice, or applicable safety and regulatory requirements.