Origin
Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by protruding ears, the ability to walk on all fours and short body hair. They belong to the family Otariidae.
There are six species, one of which is extinct (the Japanese sea lion). Their territory extends from subarctic to tropical areas. They are found in all seas and oceans in both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Until recently sea lions were grouped into a subfamily called Otariinae to distinguish them from seals.
Feeding sea lion
Sea lions have a varied diet. They feed on seafood, squid, fish, sometimes even shells. They frequently feed on salmon, hake, anchovies, herring and other fish.
They eat both near the shore and offshore on the bottom of the water. The consumption of products consumed by these male animals in zoos increases with age, then stabilizes around 4000kg by the age of 10.
More delicate females fall somewhere in half.
Sea lions feed alone or in small or large groups depending on the amount of food available. They ally themselves with dolphins or birds when they come across large shoals of fish. In areas where salmon is found, especially at the mouths of rivers, sea lions lurk their prey.
Sea lion appearance
Sea lions have lengths between 2-3m and weight over 800kg. They have a dog-like snout. Males grow a bony crest over their heads when they reach sexual maturity.
This bony ridge gives them the name of sea lions. On the back you can see the Mane. Females are lighter in color, and Cubs are born dark, but they open when after a few months.
When they are dry, you can see purple skin. The life span of a sea lion is 17 years in the wild and longer in captivity.
They are able to stay underwater for 15 minutes. The nostrils stick to the skin and thus the nose closes when they are underwater.
Sea lion behavior
Sea lions prefer sandy beaches, they usually sit around them within a radius of 10 miles. On warm days they stay close to the shore and can be seen on beacons. Outside the breeding season they gather in OIRS and gorges.
Predators of sea lions are killer whales and white sharks. They love salmon so much that a sea lion swam 320km out of the sea down a river.
In 2004 another sea lion was spotted on the side of a road over 500m from a river and 100km from the sea. They seem to be bold and like to travel.
They can jump from heights of 30 to 100m and do dives between 200-300m. they're known for their dog-like barking. They are very intelligent animals and can be taught various tricks: to catch balls, make various jumps, dance, etc.
Some associations have protested that circus performers and trainers use animals as clowns and said it was unnatural.
On the other hand, people claimed that this training of sea lions allowed them to see how intelligent they are. Sea lions can swim up to 40m over short distances.
Breeding sea lion
Sea lions are very Social between May and June. When the territory is established, the males try to increase their chances of reproduction by staying in the colony as long as possible.
During this time they will use their fat as a reservoir of energy. Size speaks its word both in waiting and in winning battles.
The larger male can draw out more energy and wait longer. A sea lion can retain its territory for about 29 days.
Females do not become receptive in the first 3 weeks after the Cubs are born, so the males establish their territories until the females give birth.
Most fights take place during this period, then rituals begin: vocalizations, head movements, strategic glances, etc.in the end it can happen that one male has 16 females.
They are noisy during mating season, with males making loud sounds and barking until territories are established. Through this barking and communication between individuals, puppies at early ages make a kind of bleating at first.
Females have a reproductive cycle of 12 months and 9 months gestation with a 3-month delay of implantation give birth until mid-June.
Puppies are born with open eyes and can communicate with their mother from birth. They will stay next to the mother for up to 6 months during which they will grow rapidly due to the high fat content of the milk.
After about two months the Cubs learn to hunt and swim properly with their mother.
