The Conversation

Scientists at work: cracking sea lions' high-thrust, low-wake swimming technique

Author: The Conversation

Observing the foreflipper clap.Megan Leftwich, CC BY

The California sea lion has a unique way of moving through the ocean. This highly maneuverable aquatic mammal produces thrust primarily with its foreflippers – the ones it has where you have hands. Despite being fast, efficient and agile, this sea lion swimming technique is quite different...

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