• Key Information

  • Sea Lions

  • Species
    Eumetopias jubatus, Neophoca cinerea, Otaria flavescens, Phocarctos hookeri, Zlophus californianus, Zalophus wollebaeki
  • Diet
    Carnivore
  • Length
    8 to 10 ft
  • Weight
    660 to 2,200 lbs
  • Lifespan
    20 to 30 years
  • Classification
    Mammal > Pinnipedia > Otariidae
  • Conservation Status
    Some species endangered, others not threatened
  • Habitat
    Coastlines of most oceans except the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Learning Point
  • Sea lions are similar to seals, though only fur seals belong to the same group of 'eared seals'. Fur seals have a much thicker fur then Sea lions. Sea lions are larger in size then Fur seals.
  • Sea lions are different to seals in several ways: seals grunt, sea lions bark or roar; seals can only nove on their belly, sea lions can walk; seals have no ear flaps, but sea lions do; seals have fur and claws on their flippers, sea lions have no fur and short claws.
  • Project
  • Draw a sea lion pup.
  • Location
  • Places
    Along ocean coastlines except the Atlantic. The map shows the location of Steller's Sea Lions.
  • Fun Facts
  • A group of sea lions is called a colony or rookery.
  • The sea lion uses it's front flippers to move itself forward, and the rear flippers to steer where it's going.
  • Sea lions produce loud roars help explain why they're named after lions. Males of some sea lion species even grow thick manes around their necks.
  • Sea lions form great colonies with thousands of animals in them.