Seal (animal)

Seal fur muff
MFA# 63.63

Description

A large marine mammal of the Pinniped order (Phocidae or Otariidae families). Seals from the Phocidae family were hunted for their skins which forms a smooth-grain, soft Leather (see Sealskin). Otariidae seals, or fur seals, are native to Alaska. Their pelts were valued for their thick dense furs. All seal products are currently banned in the US from sale and import.

Synonyms and Related Terms

pinnipeds; fur seal; seal fur; sealskin; sæler (Dan.); Robben (Deut.); phoque (Fr.); zeeroofdieren (Ned.); foki (Pol.); pinnipedia (Port.); sälar(Sven.)

Additional Images

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  Bearded Seal

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  Elephant Seal

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  Fur Seal

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  Harbor Seal

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  Seal hair

Resources and Citations

• Nationmaster: http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Fur - import and sale of seal products is currently banned in the US

• Olympus Microscopy Resource Center at http://www.olympusmicro.com/galleries/polarizedlight/pages/alaskansealhairsmall.html

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinniped (Accessed Nov. 9, 2005)