Seals and sea lions are semiaquatic mammals that are in a group called pinnipeds, meaning `fin-footed.` Walruses are also members of this group. While related, all three are in different taxonomic families `True` seals, also called earless seals, are members of the Phocidae family, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System ITIS. Sea lions are members of the Otariidae family eared seals, along with several species of fur seals. Walruses are in the Odobenidae family. As their names imply, one difference between the two types of seals is their ears. Eared seals have external ear flaps, while true seals do not. Another difference is that the rear flippers of true seals point backward, and these seals move on land with an up-and-down undulating motion. Fur seals and sea lions can rotate their hind feet and use them to walk along with some speed. Also, fur seals are so-named because they have thick fur that can trap air and help keep them warm. True seals have thin fur and use blubber for insulation.

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