South American Sea Lion

South American Sea Lion

Southern sea lion, Patagonian sea lion. Locally it is known as Lobo marino (es)/Lobo marinho (pt) (sea wolf) and León marino (es)/Leão marinho (pt) (sea lion), South American sea lion, Patagonian sea lion

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Clade
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Otaria flavescens
Population size
445,000
Life Span
16-30 years
Top speed
40
25
km/hmph
km/h mph 
Weight
150-350
330-770
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
1.8-2.7
5.9-8.9
mft
m ft 

The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens, formerly Otaria byronia ), also called the southern sea lion and the Patagonian sea lion, is a sea lion found on the western and southeastern coasts of South America. It is the only member of the genus Otaria. The species is highly sexually dimorphic. Males have a large head and prominent mane. They mainly feed on fish and cephalopods and haul out on sand, gravel, rocky, or pebble beaches. In most populations, breeding males are both territorial and harem holding; they establish territories first and then try to herd females into them. The overall population of the species is considered stable, estimated at 265,000 animals.

Di

Diurnal

Ca

Carnivore

Pi

Piscivores

Se

Semiaquatic

Pr

Precocial

Na

Natatorial

Te

Terrestrial

Te

Territorial

Co

Congregatory

Po

Polygyny

So

Social

Do

Dominance hierarchy

No

Not a migrant

S

starts with

Appearance

Amongst pinnipeds, the winged-footed family, there are eared seals and true seals. The former are also known as fur seals and sea lions. The South American sea lion’s technical name is the Patagonian sea lion but this name is rarely used. When full grown the male sea lions are twice the weight of females and around their large heads is a patch of short hair similar to the beginnings of a lion’s mane. Males have a neck that is more muscled than that of females.

Distribution

Geography

The South American sea lion lives along the South American coastlines on the Atlantic side from Rio de Janeiro to Perú on the Pacific side in southernmost South America. Some have been known to occur in the Falkland and Galapagos Islands. They live along shorelines and beaches, which usually consist of sand, rocks, gravel and/or pebbles. They also occur on flat rocky shelves or on cliffs with boulders and tide pools.

South American Sea Lion habitat map

Climate zones

South American Sea Lion habitat map
South American Sea Lion
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Habits and Lifestyle

South American sea lions are a diurnal and social species which lives in groups usually consisting of multiple females with one or several males who defend their territory. Males, called bulls, patrol their range actively, threatening intruders, and advertising their territorial boundaries by means of vocalizations. Fights are, however, rare, unless an intruder attempts to take over the bull’s territory. His territory is very dependent on cows being present rather than its size or any topological features. Each bull usually has 18 cows within his territory. Younger males who do not yet have any mating females usually live in groups with 10 to 40 other young males, and try to raid the established territories of bulls to obtain females. South American sea lions generally hunt in shallower waters, less than five miles out from the shore. They hunt in groups when seeking prey that travel in schools.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

A South American sea lion are carnivores (piscivores) and eat fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans, as well as other invertebrates, depending on what is available locally.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
August-December
PREGNANCY DURATION
11-12 months
BABY CARRYING
1 pup
INDEPENDENT AGE
6-12 months
FEMALE NAME
cow
MALE NAME
bull
BABY NAME
pup

This sea lion has a polygynous lifestyle. The mating season runs from early August until December, when males will defend their territories aggressively and show an interest in females. Mating behaviors include mutual vocalizations, mouth and snout contact, smelling, and some playful biting. Gestation is for about 11-12 months, and usually one pup is born. Mothers mate again soon after birth with the male whose territory the birth took place in. Pups spend most of the day in pods or groups playing, sleeping, or staying near the water. They first go into the water usually after about 3 to 4 weeks in a large group with other sea lions. Pups nurse for around 6 to 12 months, until their mother bears another pup, though some mothers nurse both pups at the same time. Male pups are sexually mature by 6 years of age, and females at 4, and both genders are full adult size at about 8 years of age.

Population

Population threats

The Southern sea lion has been killed in the past for the fur trade, causing a significant decrease in numbers. Today it is illegal in Argentina to kill sea lions but populations are still declining as a result of fisherman shooting sea lions that swim into their fisheries. Another threat is drowning in fishing nets.

Population number

South American sea lion is the most abundant marine mammal across its range. According to the IUCN Red List, the total South American sea lion population size is around 445,000 individuals, including approximately 222,500 mature individuals. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) and its numbers today remain stable.

Ecological niche

South American sea lions may have influence on the fish population due to their diet. They are also important as prey for their natural predators (pumas, sharks, killer whales).

Fun Facts for Kids

  • Southern American sea lions show responses with regard to thermal changes. When it is too cold, they place their bodies to expose minimal surface area to the air. When it is too hot, they may lie belly up, one hind foot projected outwards.
  • These animals are members of the Pinnipedia group, Latin for “wing foot” or "fin foot".
  • On land sea lions will use their rear flippers to walk, climb and gallop, and thus can move surprisingly fast.
  • Sea lions sleep both during the day and the night and are able to sleep either in or out of water.
  • These animals can see well both above and under the water.
  • Sea Lions are not able to smell under water.

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