seal

Seals are a recurring presence in the underwater world of the Nautilus, appearing most memorably during the ship's journey to the Antarctic. Professor Aronnax and Conseil encounter them in vast numbers on the shores of the polar continent, where they form a significant part of the local fauna. These animals are not merely observed but are also classified, described, and even hunted, providing a rich subject for natural history and a contrast to the more fearsome creatures of the deep.

Identity and Classification

Conseil, ever the classifier, promptly identifies the seals they encounter as belonging to the family Pinnipedia, order Carnivora, group Unguiculata, subclass Monodelphia, class Mammalia, branch Vertebrata. He further distinguishes between two genera: seals proper and walruses. The seals themselves are described as having no external ears, unlike sea lions. Among the varieties observed is the species stenorhynchus, a three-meter-long animal with a bulldog head and ten teeth in each jaw, including two large canines shaped like the fleur-de-lis. Also present are sea elephants, a type of seal with a short, flexible trunk, which are the giants of the species, reaching a circumference of twenty feet and a length of ten meters. These creatures are noted for their gentle features and sensitive expressions, which the ancients likened to sea gods and mermaids.

Life and Behavior in the Antarctic

During their excursion on the Antarctic continent, Aronnax and Conseil find the shores and ice floes crowded with marine mammals. The seals form distinct family groups, with the father watching over his family, the mother suckling her young, and the stronger youngsters a few paces away. On land, they move in clumsy little jumps, but in the water, their ideal element, they swim wonderfully thanks to their flexible backbones and webbed feet. The seals are described as having a considerable growth of cerebral lobes, making them intelligent and capable of being educated. Aronnax notes that they can be trained to perform yeoman service as hunting dogs for fishermen. The animals are generally peaceful, but Aronnax warns that when defending their little ones, their fury is dreadful and they are known to smash a fisherman's longboat to bits.

Encounters and Interactions

The Nautilus's crew also interacts with seals in a more utilitarian manner. Captain Nemo, who generally opposes the needless slaughter of animals, authorizes the hunting of seals for their fur, which is used to make warm clothing for the crew. The cold in the Antarctic is intense, and the men are dressed in furs for which seals and aquatic bears have paid the price. The seals' presence is also noted in other contexts, such as the mention of sealskin fishing boots worn by Captain Nemo and his chief officer. The animals are not always the subject of direct interaction; they are also part of the broader ecological tapestry, as when Aronnax reflects on the role of manatees and seals in grazing underwater prairies and preventing the spread of disease.

Narrative and Thematic Significance

The seals serve as a counterpoint to the more dramatic and dangerous creatures of the deep, such as sharks and giant squid. Their peaceful, family-oriented behavior and their gentle, intelligent nature offer a moment of calm and wonder in the midst of the Nautilus's often perilous journey. They also highlight the theme of humanity's relationship with nature, as Captain Nemo's selective hunting—for necessity rather than sport—contrasts with the destructive practices of whalers and seal hunters. The seals' presence in the Antarctic, a region of extreme isolation and beauty, underscores the novel's exploration of untouched, pristine environments and the complex moral choices they present to the observer.