Why even seal have thick fur but provide little insulation?

Answer 1

Seals actually have a thick layer of blubber, not fur, which serves as their primary insulation. Blubber is a layer of fat that is stored beneath the skin and provides excellent insulation by trapping heat and preventing heat loss. This thick layer of blubber is essential for seals as they inhabit cold marine environments where they often encounter freezing waters.

While seals do have a layer of fur, it is not as significant for insulation as their blubber. The fur of seals is relatively short and dense, serving more for waterproofing and maintaining buoyancy in water rather than insulation. The fur helps seals stay dry and warm by blocking water from reaching their skin, but it is the blubber that offers the main insulation against cold temperatures.

Seals have evolved to have this combination of blubber and fur to thrive in their aquatic habitats. The blubber provides effective insulation against the cold water, while the fur helps to keep them dry and streamline their bodies for swimming.