What Is Jug Handling and Why Do Fur Seals Do It?
Fur Seals do something known as Jug Handling. Jug Handling is when a Fur Seal puts their flippers up on their bodies and makes a jug handle shape, thus the name Jug Handling.
Nobody is totally sure why Fur Seals Jug Handle. The first idea is that Fur Seals may do this to regulate body temperature. They either keep their flippers out of the water to not lose heat to the water and keep themselves warm, or to keep themselves cool by letting water evaporate off of their flippers. The next idea is that Jug Handling is a safe way to sleep in the water because it keeps them in a stable position. Another idea is that it keeps predators from being suspicious of the Fur Seal because the Fur Seal looks like something other than a Fur Seal, such as a piece of driftwood.
If I ever learn the vast language of the Pinniped I will ask the ruler of the Fur Seals what Jug Handling is for and update this post.
My personal picture of Fur Seals Jug Handling, taken at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut
Nobody is totally sure why Fur Seals Jug Handle. The first idea is that Fur Seals may do this to regulate body temperature. They either keep their flippers out of the water to not lose heat to the water and keep themselves warm, or to keep themselves cool by letting water evaporate off of their flippers. The next idea is that Jug Handling is a safe way to sleep in the water because it keeps them in a stable position. Another idea is that it keeps predators from being suspicious of the Fur Seal because the Fur Seal looks like something other than a Fur Seal, such as a piece of driftwood.
If I ever learn the vast language of the Pinniped I will ask the ruler of the Fur Seals what Jug Handling is for and update this post.
Another personal picture of a Fur Seal Jug Handling at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut
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