eared seal

noun

1. any seal of the family Otariidae, comprising the sea lions and fur seals, having external ears and flexible hind flippers that are used when moving about on land: the front flippers are used in swimming.

eared seal

noun

1. any seal of the pinniped family Otariidae, typically having visible earflaps and conspicuous hind limbs that can be used for locomotion on land Compare earless seal

Word History and Origins

Origin of eared seal¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Northern fur seals, like sea lions, are eared seals.

From Seattle Times

The following very curious details on the courtship of one of the eared seals, Callorhinus ursinus, are given327 on the authority of Capt.

From Project Gutenberg

If, however, all the modern eared seals are included in the genus Otaria, there is apparently no reason to exclude the fossil species.

From Project Gutenberg

In walking on land the feet are, in the case of the Otaria or eared seals placed flat on the full sole; the common seals never use their hind limbs on the shore.

From Project Gutenberg

The third and last family of the Pinnipedia, and thus of existing Carnivora, is the Otariidae, which includes the eared seals, or sea-lions and sea-bears.

From Project Gutenberg