What is marine mammal science?

There are about 100 species of aquatic or marine mammals that depend on fresh water or the ocean for part or all of their life needs. These species include pinnipeds, which are sea s sea lions fur seals, and walrus; cetaceans, which are baleen and toothed whales, ocean c and river dolphins, and porpoises; sirenians, which are manatees and dugongs; and some carnivores, such as sea otters and polar bears. Marine mammal scientists try to understand these animals' genetic, systematic, and evolutionary relationships; population structure; community dynamics; anatomy and physiology; behavior and sensory abilities; parasites and diseases; geographic and microhabitat distributions; ecology; management; and conservation.