The sea lion is a marine animal of the family Otariidae (eared seals), which also includes fur seals.
There are two species of sea lion in the northern hemisphere, three in the south.
The largest of the species is Steller's sea lion, which can grow up to 3.4 metres (11 ft) long.
The male Steller's sea lion has a thick neck with the characteristic main, and can weigh up to 1 tonne. Females are one third that weight.
The California sea lion only reaches 2.3 metres (7 feet).
The sea lion has large fore flippers which it uses to row itself through the water.
The hind flippers can be turned beneath the body to walk on them.
Sea lions are characterized by external ear flaps, unlike true seals.
Sea lions cannot tell the color red from grey.
Sea lions feed on fish, squid and crustaceans.
They consume large quantities of food at a time and are known to eat about 5–8% of their body weight (about 15–35 lb (6.8–15.9 kg)) at a single feeding.
Sea lions are the first nonhuman mammals that have demonstrated the ability to keep a beat.
They have an average lifespan of 20–30 years.
San Franciscan Kevin Hines survived a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge but broke his back on impact. He was saved from drowning by a sea lion who kept him afloat until rescuers could reach him.
The sea lion lives all around the world, except in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Steller's sea lion lives in the North Pacific, with large numbers breeding on the Aleutian Islands.
The California sea lion is the species most often seen in zoos and as a performing seal.
In Sweden, it is illegal to train a seal to balance a ball on its nose.
Source Hutchinson Encyclopedia
There are two species of sea lion in the northern hemisphere, three in the south.
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| North Pacific Sea Lion |
ANATOMY
The largest of the species is Steller's sea lion, which can grow up to 3.4 metres (11 ft) long.
The male Steller's sea lion has a thick neck with the characteristic main, and can weigh up to 1 tonne. Females are one third that weight.
The California sea lion only reaches 2.3 metres (7 feet).
The sea lion has large fore flippers which it uses to row itself through the water.
The hind flippers can be turned beneath the body to walk on them.
Sea lions are characterized by external ear flaps, unlike true seals.
Sea lions cannot tell the color red from grey.
BEHAVIOR
Sea lions feed on fish, squid and crustaceans.
They consume large quantities of food at a time and are known to eat about 5–8% of their body weight (about 15–35 lb (6.8–15.9 kg)) at a single feeding.
Sea lions are the first nonhuman mammals that have demonstrated the ability to keep a beat.
They have an average lifespan of 20–30 years.
San Franciscan Kevin Hines survived a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge but broke his back on impact. He was saved from drowning by a sea lion who kept him afloat until rescuers could reach him.
HABITAT
The sea lion lives all around the world, except in the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Steller's sea lion lives in the North Pacific, with large numbers breeding on the Aleutian Islands.
The California sea lion is the species most often seen in zoos and as a performing seal.
 |
| Sea lions entertaining a crowd in Central Park Zoo. By MusikAnimal |
In Sweden, it is illegal to train a seal to balance a ball on its nose.
Source Hutchinson Encyclopedia
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