Ooo! stales used a great word.. colonies of Australia's only endemic (that is, occurs nowhere else in the world) pinniped - the Australian sea lion - are found there.
pinneped(s) are sea lions, not seals.. how do i know? Their very name tells me so!
and its so interesting!
Pinna--(or pinnae or pinnas) comes from the latin word for feather-- (and is related to the word PEN) --but anatomically it means an external ear; botanically it is the term for the primate division of a pinnately compound leaf (ie, something like a fern); zoologically, it means a feather, wing, fin or similar structure.
Now my Websters (shame on it!) says a pinniped is so named because it has pinnipeds--winged feet!
but sea lions, unlike seals have external ears! gottcha! the anatomical defination is the one that is most significant, not the webbed feet! and that's how you tell a seal from a sea lion at the zoo! (or aquarium)or if you are lucky enough, at the shore!
Did i mention i grew up with in walking distance of the Bronx Zoo-- and when i was a kid, it was free? In family group photos, i am never facing the camera, i am reading the informational plaque on the exhibit!
I am sure there are other great words associated with cats and dogs, domestic animals and non-domestic animals.. not adjectives.. but lovely great words--like pinnipeds-- so haul them on out! other wise i am going to feel like are a real word geek!
ear, ear! thank you, Stales!
