Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, published by Thomson Gale Our full descriptions of animal families come from Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia and include a short description of the animal family, its taxonomy, physical characteristics, biological background, habitat and feeding habits, and its significance to humans. On this page: Eared Seals, Fur Seals, and Sea Lions (Otariidae) to Extinct West Indian Shrews (Nesophontidae).