Arctic seal

This advantage was due to the Arctic seal's more complex, dense nasal cavity.

Specifically, the researchers showed that the increased perimeter of the Arctic seal's maxilloturbinates is key to limiting energy dissipation at low ambient temperatures.

"And we knew from a previous study that Arctic seal noses are sponge-like and very dense, whereas the Mediterranean seal nose has a more open structure."

The simulations showed that arctic seal noses retained significantly more heat and moisture in both environments.

But the ringed seal, the smallest Arctic seal species, cannot adapt to dry land so easily.