South American sea lions, Otaria flavescens (Shaw, 1800), aka southern sea lions, are also referred to as Otaria byronia.They vary in size within the species and between males and females. Their rear legs are two separate, front-facing flippers that can be rotated under the body and they can rise up and move around with a two beat gate. The pup has a distinct yelp of its own, and when it hears its mother nearby, begins to call to her desperately. It is the sole member of the genus Eumetopias and the largest of the eared seals. The male stellar sea lion can grow to the size of a compact car weighing over 2000 pounds and measuring over 10 feet long. Although most of the Galapagos sea lion population is concentrated in the waters surrounding the Galapagos archipelago, some individuals have established a semipermanent colony at Isla de la Plata near the coast of Ecuador. Population number. Northern sea lions eat fish, octopus, and squid, as well as bivalves, other mollusks, and crustaceans. The breeding ground is known as a "rookery" and is usually on a quiet island with sandy beaches. Sea lions are a very sexually dimorphic species, meaning that there are substantial differences in size and appearance between the females and males of the species. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The smallest is the ringed seal, with an average length of 5 feet (1.5 m) and a weight of 110 to 150 lbs. Both species are similar in appearance, the Galapagos sea lion being the smaller of the two. In preparation for the breeding season, their weight often increases up to 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms). Lion Fish Aquarium. Some sea lion colonies are permanent residence throughout their range, while other species are partially migratory. The rear limbs of true seals are fused together and are permanently facing rearward, making walking impossible. Male sea lions gather at specific breeding grounds early in the mating season, and actively attempt to establish their own territories before females arrive. Sea lions live in very large social groups called colonies that may come together to sunbathe in masses of hundreds, and take to the beach to mate and raise young in tightly packed gatherings of thousands. Male California sea lions reach about 2 to 2.5 m (6.5–8 ft.) and 200 to 400 kg (440–880 lbs.). Updates? Eared seals differ from true seals in that they have external ears, larger, more powerful forelimbs, and can rotate their hind limbs forward and beneath them. Size . A fast swimmer and excellent diver, it forages underwater for an average of three minutes at a time, but dives can last up to nine minutes. The fertilized embryo develops in the womb for only a few weeks and then becomes dormant. A group of sea lions is called a colony on land, and a raft when in the water. Some sea lions can stay underwater for over half an hour without taking a breath. On the other hand, walrus does not have external ears. The California sea lion, found along the western coast of North America from the Gulf of Alaska to Costa Rica, is the trained seal commonly seen in animal acts and zoos. Folks who had docked their boats in the area for decades simple moved out, and the wildlife took over. Polar Animals Antarctic. Grunts, groans and snores abound in a colony of sea lions. What do you think of these fabulous animals? Legend has it that California sea lions began to appear in extremely large numbers after an earthquake struck California in 1989. Adult males weigh as much as 250 kg (550 pounds), and adult females weigh between 50 and 100 kg (110 and 220 pounds). Male California sea lions do have a full, round neck and develop a bony sagittal crest atop the skull cap as they mature that makes for a cool silhouette, but without the mane it doesn't really read "lion", and females of all the species never develop the truly lion-like physical features that ultimately must have inspired the name. Sea lions have long and smooth whiskers or vibrissae. The largest is the southern elephant seal. For reasons unknown these creatures returned to the ocean about 20 million years ago, where they have since become the most successful and widely distributed family of carnivores in the world. The tusk and stiff whiskers mainly differentiate a walrus from a sea lion. All sea lions have a unique appearance. Crowding is a sea lion thing, and they would prefer to sleep three bodies deep than move to an unoccupied platform. But with the help of nostrils that seal up automatically when they dive, a sea lion typically remain submerged for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Weight-wise, they tip the scales between 50 and 250 kilograms (110 and 550 pounds). Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Sea Lion Reviews - Perception | Buyers' Guide | Paddling.com The Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is found along the southern coast of Western Australia into South Australia. Male sea lions may fast for up to 40 days during mating season. This is a vitally important time in the life of a mature male sea lion, and he actually may not eat for the entire length of the mating season - up to 30 days- while he struggles to maintain control of his territory and the females who have chosen to reside there. The trained seals seen in water parks and circuses are usually California sea lions. A fun program designed to let you meet the clown of the sea, the Patagonian Sea Lion. - Sea Lion Facts, African Animals facts photos and videos..Africa is a wonderland for animal lovers, and a schoolroom for anyone who wants to learn about nature, beauty and the rhythm of life. Now an amazing tourist attraction, the sea lions lounge while onlookers take pictures. The pesticide DDT, still in targeted use to prevent malaria in tropical countries, accumulates through the food chain and is found at near-toxic concentrations in sea lion pups. Finally, seals are less social than their sea-lion cousins. Adult males are 2.0–2.5 metres in length and weigh 300 kg, whereas females measure 1.5 metres long and weigh less than 100 kg. The "mane" is most obvious when the fur is dry, and leaves no doubt that the name "sea lion" is deserving. Physiology dictates thermoregulation, osmoregulation, reproduction, metabolic rate, and many other aspects on sea lion ecology including but not limited to their ability to dive to great depths. Males measure about 20 feet long (6 meters), while females are about half as long. Males are about 3.3 metres in length and weigh 1,000 kg, while females measure about 2.5 metres and weigh less than 300 kg. Female sea lions may fast for up to 16 days when their pup is first born. All pinnipeds, even walruses, are considered seals in the broad sense that leopards are considered cats, so it is not incorrect to call a sea lion a seal, just less precise . Baboon facts, photos, videos and information - Baboons are very distinctive looking monkeys with long, dog-like snouts and close set eyes. It is the largest member of the eared seals. Sea lions are true carnivores and individuals may eat as much as 50 pounds of fish and squid in a day. California sea lions commonly gather on man-made structures. All sea lion species are carnivores with large canine teeth, or "fangs", and a muzzle full of stiff whiskers, and may also make loud roaring noises which are all lionesque features, but the most shockingly lion-like species is the incredible South American sea lion. The southern, or South American, sea lion (Otaria byronia) is generally brown with a yellowish orange belly. The California sea lion shares the genus Zalophus with the Galapagos sea lion (Z. wollebaeki). Males with prime, beach-front properties attract the most mates. Sea lions feed principally on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods (squid and octopus), but they also will consume penguins. A sea lions sleek body is perfect for diving deep in the ocean (up to 600 feet, or 180 meters) in search of tasty fish and squid. it is not incorrect to call a sea lion a seal, just less precise . This ability finds sea lions and fur seals commonly referred to as the "walking seals", while their external ears are why they are also referred to as the "eared seals.". When all of the beach is claimed, younger, weaker or smaller males unable to gain a territory, form bachelor groups on the outskirts of the beach, and may continue to be chased about from one mating ground to another by the established males. Crawl Seal North Sea. There are 18 species of true seals, according to Seals World. A bony ridge down the centerline of the skull known as a sagittal crest begins to develop at about 9 years of age and, over time, gives the males head a distinct, and impressive look. In captivity, and when interacting with humans, they are extremely quick to learn, and have been exhibited in shows and circuses for centuries. Galapagos Sea Lions – Galapagos sea lions range in length from 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), and males are typically larger than females. African Animals - Animal Facts Encyclopedia, Great Apes Facts - Animal Facts Encyclopedia, Sea lions are known as eared or walking seals, A male sea lion is called a bull, a female is called a cow, and a baby is called a pup. According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Galápagos sea … The "true seals", such as elephant seals and harp seals, do not have external ear structures and are not capable of walking, but rather must roll or wriggle from place to place when on land. Sea lion, any of six species of eared seals found primarily in Pacific waters. The sexual size difference in the Steller sea lion is achieved through a longer period of growth in length and a pubertal growth spurt in mass of males. Adult males are 2.0–2.5 metres in length and weigh 300 kg, whereas females measure 1.5 metres long and weigh less than 100 kg. Related Images: seal water animal mammal nature. she will be able to find her own pup, in a sea of sea lions. The species is named for the naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller, who first described them in 1741. Scientists combined the results of sea lion pup counts in the Channel Islands, aerial surveys of sea lion rookeries, survival rates and other information to reconstruct the growth of the sea lion population from 1975 to 2014. Sea lions are highly social, and happy to live in very close company. The Australian Sea Lion is a sexually dimorphic (two body forms) species, with the adult males up to twice the weight and length of the female. Animal Aquatic Brown. The neck and head structure are dazzlingly leonine, but the South American sea lion also has ruff of long hair that makes everything very clear. California sea lions are light to chocolate brown in color and exhibit marked sexual dimorphism. 64 44 17. Leave a comment in the box below. Males are 3 to 4 times as heavy and up to 1.2 times as long as the females. Great apes facts, photos and videos..Human beings did not evolve from chimpanzees, modern chimps and gorillas do not appear in the fossil records until much more recently than homo sapiens.. e-mail us at info@animalfactsencyclopedia.com, Copyright 2011 - 2019 by Jenise Alongi   Animal Facts Encyclopedia.com. Sea lions also have longer flippers than true seals. 84 88 7. But they also have some key anatomical differences. 73 48 35. 30. Because of their massive size and aggressive nature, they are rarely kept in captivity. Sea Lions are pinnipeds that have external ear flaps and long fore flippers. They are as follows: The largest species of sea lion, the Stellar sea lion, also has a noticable mane, and males of this species can reach 2200 pounds and 12 feet in length. Walrus is also bigger than sea lions. Transparent Black and white. The male reaches a maximum length of about 2.5 metres (8 feet) and a weight of 400 kg (880 pounds), and the female grows to about 1.8 metres and 90 kg. With long, powerful front flippers, their natural position is upright with the chest raised off the ground. Males are 2.0–2.5 metres in length, females 1.5–2.0 metres. unique, compressed and web-toed hind feet. Sea lions are characterized by a coat of short coarse hair that lacks a distinct undercoat. The general size of a sea lion will vary depending on its habitat. The sea lion, an otariid, is plentiful in the Falkland Islands but probably never ventures into the cold Antarctic waters. 566 Free images of Sea Lion. Steller sea lion or northern sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) South American sea lion or southern sea ion (Otaria flavescens) New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) References This … Kill… California sea lions eat mostly fish, crustaceans, and squid, as well as bivalves, other,... Nature, they are full grown in very close company of six species elephant... 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