It is time for another fact! I want all of you to pay attention today since I will be asking for input on something at the end of this fact. Anyone who answers will get one Wild Fact Bonus Point! I wanted to take a trip up north today and talk about the hooded seal. More specifically, I wanted to talk about the male hooded seals since the females do not have this adaptation. So what is the adaptation? Well, adult male hooded seals are able to inflate a sac that can cover their head. See, they have this pouch, which is an extension of their nasal cavity, that hangs down below their eyes and over their upper lip. By closing both nostrils and blowing the hooded seal has the ability to blow this ballon-like structure to a size similar to a basketball. Believe it or not this isn’t their only talent! The males are also able to close off one nostril and blow this balloon out of their nose. Could you imagine how great these animals would be for blowing up balloons at your kids 6th birthday party!
The million dollar question is why do the males have this adaptation? Sure it looks weird and would probably be fun to play with but is there something more to it? In a book by Judith E. King titled Seals of the World
To me a more reasonable explanation as to the purpose of these sacs has to do with social dominance. They are similar to the massive racks on bull moose. It is known that the male hooded seals will inflate these sacs if they are threatened and again to warn other seals to back off during mating season. So not only are they tons of fun but they also serve a purpose to warn off potential threats.
I promised that I would ask a question at the end of this fact so here it is. What could these sacs be used for other than social dominance and just for fun? They may serve a purpose in the water, however, we hardly observe seals in the underwater world. You will get a Wild Fact Bonus Point if you answer and the best answer gets an additional 5 Wild Fact Bonus Points.
Hooded Seal Fast Fact: The male hooded seal does not develop this special sac until they reach 4 years of age.
I love the title, couldn’t have done better myself. I would assume these sacs or “hoods” could actually act as a type of floatation device or perhasp when they’re filled with air they could stay underwater longer. You’re right thought they would be a great party gag!
Love Auntie B.
Glad you liked the title. I try to amuse my readers and myself!
As I mentioned in a previous comment the only problem with using the sacs underwater is the fact that only males have this ability. Maybe the females have some other quality that we are not aware of and don’t require the air sacs. This is the beauty of nature. Until we get out there and study these types of phenomenon then we will never know the purpose of everything. Nature is very smart and always changing so I would like to think that most things serve a specific purpose.
Thanks for the comment!
Hi Nathan,
Your post mentioned they inflate the sacs if they are threatened and during mating season as well as for social dominance and fun. In answer to your question, “What could these sacs be used for other than social dominance and just for fun?” I would have to say they also use the sacs for courtship and to display aggression when they are threatened.
Here is something to think about for a future Wild-Facts post. The way I understand it is a black membrane is inflated from the nasal cavity and a red membrane is from the left nostril. What is the significance of the two colours and why two membranes?
Thanks Nathan for another fascinating post!
Yes, you are absolutely right that they would use them for courtship and to display aggression. It would explain why only the males have the air sacs. Similarly, hooded seals are known to be more aggressive then other seals. I think this hood helps them with this aggressive behaviour.
Good question about the difference in colours. My only answer would be that is just the colour of the membranes. It would be interesting to see if the red colour works better for courtship while the black works better for aggressive behaviour. Something like this is definitely a possibility. You have me thinking!!
Thanks for commenting and again for making me scratch my head and wonder about the mysteries of nature. By the time I am done doing this project I will have a ton of potential Master’s thesis topics.
I was going to say that the sac could be used to help the seal in the water. When they’re in the water they could inflate the sac and then the seal could get to the surface of the water faster. That’s my guess but I don’t know if it’s entirely correct.
That could definitely be a possibility. My only question with this idea is why don’t the females have the air sacs too? But until we get down into the water and observe these seals then we won’t know for sure that they don’t serve an underwater purpose.
Thanks for replying to the post!
I want to thank everyone for submitting their comments and guesses as to what other purpose the air sacs could be used for. I am awarding 6 Bonus Wild Fact Points to everyone that commented. Congratulations to all of you!
Thanks for reading!
Nathan,
Where can I use these 6 Bonus Wild Fact Points? There is this really nice spa near here, do you think they’d take them???
The quiz is a great idea – gets us thinking!
Aunt Linda
Wild Fact Points are redeemable at all participating locations. I highly recommend you try redeeming them at the local spa. Let me know how that works out for you 🙂
In all honesty, I have been wracking my brain to start a contest type of event. People can collect these points for various things and redeem them. I am just not sure what they can redeem them for yet. I am still working on this thought so stay tuned. If anyone has some suggestions then that would be great as well!
Have a great weekend and enjoy your Halloween Night!
I just posted a review of your blog, hope to see you again in the Monetize a Blog Forums.