Everything about Sea Lion totally explained
For other uses of the term "sea lion", see Sea lion (disambiguation).
Sea lions are any of seven
species in six
genera of modern
pinnipeds including one extinct one (the
Japanese sea lion). Sea lions are characterized by the presence of external ear
pinnae or flaps, long front
flippers, and the ability to walk on four flippers on land. 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
Atlantic Ocean. They are generally found in shallow waters of coastal areas of both with abundant food resources.
Taxonomy
Together with the
fur seal, they comprise the
Otariidae family, collectively known as eared seals. Until recently, sea lions were grouped under a single subfamily called
Otariinae to distinguish them from the fur seals
Arcocephalinae, based on the most prominent common feature between all species, namely the lack of dense underfur characteristic of the latter. Recent genetic evidence, however, strongly suggests that the
Callorhinus, the genus of the
Northern fur seal is more closely related to some sea lion species than to the fur seal genus
Arctocephalus. Therefore the fur seal/sealion subfamily distinction has been largely eliminated. Nonetheless, all sea lions have certain features in common, in particular the coarse, short fur, greater bulk and larger prey than fur seals.
Interactions with humans
Some species of sea lions are readily trainable and are often a popular attraction at zoos and aquariums. The archetypal circus seal performing behaviors such as throwing and catching balls on its nose and clapping is almost always, in fact, a sea lion.
The government of Japan has set a quota of 116 kills per year in Hokkaido, as sea lions are seen as a threat to commercial
fisheries. International environmentalists and local fishery advocates continue to debate the issue.
The Norwegian government has set a quota of 200 kills per year.
Sea lions have been trained by the
U.S. Navy's
Marine Mammal Program, based in
San Diego, to detain
scuba divers.
Sea lion attacks on humans are rare, but have occurred in at least a single notable case, in which a 13 year-old Australian girl was attacked while in the water. Sources said that the likeliest explanation was that the animal was attempting to play with the girl.
The
Moche people of ancient
Peru worshipped the sea and its animals. They often depicted sea lions in their art.
Species
Hybrids
A hybrid sea lion from a cross between the California sea lion (
Zalophus californianus) and the South American sea lion (
Otaria byronia) has occurred.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Sea Lion'.
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