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Seal Tagging in Alaska

What is marine mammal science?

Marine mammal scientists study about 100 species of marine mammals in three major groups: Order Pinnipedia, Order Cetacea, and Order Sirenia. A few marine mammal species are in other orders. Scientists are interested in many different aspects of marine mammal life including:

  • Ecology
  • Behavior and sensory abilities
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Parasites and diseases
  • Population structure
  • Community dynamics
  • Geographic distribution
  • Genetic, systematic, and evolutionary relationships
  • Management and conservation

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Information within the education website should not be cited in scientific journals or publications.
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