Sea lion
Sea lions are sea mammals characterized by external ear flaps, long foreflippers, the ability to walk on all fours, short, thick hair, and a big chest and belly. Together with the fur seals, they comprise the family Otariidae, eared seals, which contains six extant and one extinct species (the Japanese sea lion) in five genera. Their range extends from the subarctic to tropical waters of the global ocean in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with the notable exception of the northern Atlantic Ocean.They have an average lifespan of 20–30 years. A male California sea lion weighs on average about 300 kg (660 lb) and is about 8 ft (2.4 m) long, while the female sea lion weighs 100 kg (220 lb) and is 6 ft (1.8 m) long. The largest sea lion is Steller’s sea lion, which can weigh 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) and grow to a length of 10 ft (3.0 m). Sea lions 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 can go around 16 knots in water and at their fastest they can go up to 30 knots.Three species, the Australian sea lion, the Galápagos sea lion and the New Zealand sea lion are listed as Endangered,More info:wiki
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#10 Island Sea Lions Offer Clues to Mysteriously Missing Mammals,More info:nationalgeographic
Just off the southernmost tip of South America, a cluster of small islands presents a huge puzzle for marine mammal experts.
The Falkland Islands, isolated in the far reaches of the southwest Atlantic Ocean, once boasted one of the world’s largest populations of southern sea lions. Now, they have one of the smallest. Hunting is the main reason for historical declines of seals and sea lions worldwide, but the Falklands population never recovered even though commercial hunts ended more than half a century ago.
That’s especially odd, because elsewhere around the globe, other populations of sea lions and seals that were hunted to near extinction have bounced back. For example, the neighboring Antarctic fur seals, with pelts so prized that hunters had nearly wiped them out by the early 1900s, have rebounded to about three million individuals today.
#9 California sea lion,More info:nationalzoo
Sea lions, along with fur seals, are considered eared seals. Their visible ear flaps distinguish them from true seals. They also use their fore flippers to propel themselves through the water, whereas true seals rely primarily on their back flippers to swim.
Males are generally a dark chestnut brown, although some males have lighter coloring on their head, muzzle, sides, hind and belly. Females and juveniles are usually tan. Both sexes have a sleek, single hair coat, which also distinguishes them from true seals.
At about 5 years old, males develop a noticeable crest that runs lengthwise along the top of their skull creating a high, domed forehead. The fur on this crest usually becomes increasingly lighter as a sea lion ages.
#8 GoPro: Galápagos Sea Lions,More info:GoPro
#7 Where Have All the Steller Sea Lions Gone?,More info:nature
Many nature lovers are familiar with California sea lions, especially if they live along or visit the U.S. West Coast. These animals have become familiar sights in beach towns and even cities: the California sea lions on San Francisco’s Pier 39 are a popular tourist attraction.
But there is another sea lion found along North America’s coasts. And, in many places, it’s facing startling declines. Let’s take a look at this animal and what we can do to help.
#6 Sea Lions of Los Islotes: The Story Behind the New Limited Edition PADI Certification Card,More info:padi
#5 California’s sea lions are in serious trouble (VIDEO),More info:sheknows
#4 Sea lions and loons and otters! ‘Finding Dory’ adds ocean creatures,More info:usatoday
Director Andrew Stanton was looking for a unusual way to voice his sea lion characters in Pixar’s Finding Dory. He couldn’t shake the thought of making them Guy Ritchie-type East London gangster sea lions.
Stanton couldn’t really explain the impulse. But he knew that he was right when he heard the enormous sea mammals voiced by British actors Dominic West (as Rudder) and Idris Elba (Fluke).
Sneak peek: Meet the parents of ‘Finding Dory’
The two actors memorably worked together on the famed HBO series The Wire and brought instant magic to their voice work for Finding Dory (in theaters June 17).
#3 New Zealand sea lion / rāpoka / whakahao,More info:doc.govt
#2 Watch one of the world’s rarest sea lions make a comeback on New Zealand’s mainland,More info:pri
Once populous on the country’s mainland, the New Zealand sea lion was hunted to extinction there centuries ago. Recently, however, the mammal has been making a comeback: Fifteen New Zealand sea lion pups were born on the mainland last year.
#1 Sea lions are attacking swimmers in San Francisco Bay,More
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