Sea Lion
Sea lions are carnivorous marine mammals, related to seals and walruses.
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order – Carnivora
Clade - Pinnipedia
Family – Otariidae
Genera – Eumetopias, Neophoca, Otaria, Phocarctos, Zalophus
Species – 6 species: Galapagos Sea Lion, California Sea Lion, Australian Sea Lion, South American Sea Lion, Steller’s Sea Lion, and New Zealand Sea Lion
Sea lions are found throughout the world’s oceans, in both cold and warm waters, although they do not inhabit the northern Atlantic.
They can dive very deep, and for long periods of time, without being harmed by the extreme pressure of the ocean waters. Sea lions are carnivorous, and usually eat fish, squid, crabs and clams. Some sea lions even eat smaller seals. Though they have sharp teeth, sea lions usually swallow food whole. Their teeth are used to defend themselves.
Sharks and orcas are the natural predators of sea lions.
Sea lions gather in large numbers on shore or ice habitats to breed. Adults fiercely defend the territory as the newborns grow. Toward the end of the breeding season, males will travel back to the sea in search of food while females will remain to take care of the young.
Mothers gestate for between eight and 18 months, depending on the species, usually giving birth to one or two pups.
Sea lions are pinnipeds, which are marine mammals adapted to life in the sea. They have streamlined body shapes, pointed snouts, and arms and legs that have adapted into flippers for swimming.
Sea lions differ from most seals in that they have external, visible ears. Together with fur seals, they are known as “eared seals” of the family Otariidae.
The largest species, the Steller’s sea lion, can grow up to ten feet in length and weigh up to 2,200 pounds.
There were previously seven species of sea lion until relatively recently. The Japanese sea lion became extinct in the 1950s.
Sea lions are related to other pinnipeds, which include earless (or “true”) seals, and walruses. Their closest relatives are the other members of the eared seal family, the fur seals. In fact, the northern fur seal may be more closely related to sea lions than to other fur seals.
Three species of sea lion – the Australian, the Galapagos, and the New Zealand sea lion – are currently considered endangered.
Sea lions do not often attack humans, but they can be extremely territorial and are potentially dangerous, so should always be treated with respect and given a wide berth.
Sea lions are popular exhibit animals at many zoos and aquariums. Usually when aquariums feature a “seal” show with performing animals, sea lions are used.
References
Princeton Field Guide: Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World, Jarrett & Shirihai, 2006
Guide to Marine Mammals of the World; Reeves, Stewart, Clapham, Powell; 2008
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_lion
https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/sea-lion
Safari Ltd Sea Lion Toys
Wild Safari Sea Life Sea Lion Figure
Baby Sea Life TOOB Set with Sea Lion Baby Mini Figurine
Pacific TOOB Set with Sea Lion Mini Figurine
Ocean TOOB Set with Sea Lion Mini Figurine