Species Guide

Sea Lions

Eared pinnipeds known for their agility on land, loud vocal calls, and highly social colonies.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Otariidae
Other Names: Eared Seal

Quick Facts

Largest: Steller Sea Lion: males to 2,500 lbs
Smallest: Australian Sea Lion: females ~150 lbs
Lifespan: 20–30 years
Diet: Carnivore
Dive Depth: Up to 600 ft
Status: Varies by species

Habitat & Range

Sea lions are found in every ocean except the Atlantic, preferring shallow, food-rich waters near sandy and rocky coastal islands. Large colonies gather in harbors and shallow waters to feed and bask in the sun.

Diet & Senses

Sea lions are carnivores that feed on fish, crabs, and squid, occasionally eating seaweed and aquatic plants as well. They are highly intelligent and receptive to training, diving as deep as 600 feet and maneuvering on land far more easily than earless seals thanks to flippers they can rotate beneath their body.

Did You Know?

Sea lions have been reported to help rescue humans in distress in open water.

Behavior & Life Cycle

Sea lions are very social and vocal, communicating through barks, honks, trumpets, and roars. Like true seals, males form harems and mate with multiple females, with gestation lasting 8–15 months depending on species. Sea lions typically live 20–30 years in the wild, with killer whales and sharks as their main natural predators.

Conservation Status

Conservation status varies sharply by species: the Steller, Australian, and Galapagos sea lions are endangered, the New Zealand sea lion is vulnerable, the California and South American sea lions are of least concern, and the Japanese sea lion is extinct.