Seals, sea lions, and walruses may look similar, but they have key differences in size, behavior, and danger levels (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Ever been to the beach or watched a nature documentary and wondered, “Wait, is that a seal or a sea lion?” Or maybe you’ve seen a massive walrus and thought, “That thing looks terrifying!” You’re not alone! These three marine mammals may look alike at first glance, but they have some big differences—from their size and behavior to how dangerous they can be.
So, if you’ve ever found yourself mixing them up, or you’re just curious about which one you’d least want to run into in the wild, this guide has got you covered. Let’s dive in and settle the Sea Lion vs. Seal vs. Walrus debate once and for all!
You have exhausted your monthly limit of free stories.
Read more stories for free with an Express account.
Leopard seals in the Antarctic are known to be aggressive hunters and have attacked people before. (file)
Seal vs. Sea Lion vs. Walrus: Key Differences
Feature
Seals 🦭
Sea Lions 🦁
Walruses 🐘
Size
Small to medium (100-600 lbs)
Medium (200-1,000 lbs)
Massive (1,800-4,400 lbs)
Ears
No external ear flaps
Visible external ear flaps
No external ear flaps
Flippers
Small, move clumsily on land
Large, can “walk” on land
Large, used for powerful swimming
Vocalization
Quiet, use soft grunts
Loud barks and roars
Deep grunts and bellows
Habitat
Mostly polar and temperate waters
Temperate to tropical waters
Arctic regions
Diet
Fish, squid, crustaceans
Fish, squid, octopus
Clams, shellfish, some fish
Social Behavior
Solitary or small groups
Highly social, large colonies
Social, live in herds
Which is more dangerous?
While all three species are wild animals and should be treated with caution, walruses are generally considered the most dangerous.
Walruses
Size & Power: A male walrus can weigh up to 4,400 lbs (2,000 kg) and has enormous tusks that can cause severe injuries.
Aggressive Defense: They are territorial and protective, especially mothers with calves. If threatened, they can attack boats and humans.
Deadly in Water: With their powerful flippers and bulk, they can easily capsize small boats.
Sea lions
More aggressive than seals but not as dangerous as walruses.
Males (bulls) are territorial during mating season and can attack if provoked.
Strong bite: They have sharp teeth and a powerful jaw.
Seals
Generally timid and avoid humans.
Exception: Leopard seals in the Antarctic are known to be aggressive hunters and have attacked people before.
Sharp teeth but rarely attack unless provoked.
How can you stay safe when interacting with any of these animals?
Keep your distance when observing them in the wild.
Never feed or provoke them.
Be cautious in water—even playful behavior can be dangerous.
Respect their habitat to avoid aggressive encounters.
If we were talking about the most dangerous one, a walrus would win the crown due to its size, tusks, and aggression. As for the most aggressive, it would be a sea lion, especially territorial males. A seal is the least threatening out of the three unless it’s a leopard seal.
Now that you know the differences, which of these marine giants do you find the most fascinating? Let us know!
