Animal Gallery
South American Sea Lion |
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South American Sea Lions are sexually dimorphic, which means there is a visual difference between males and females. Males are approximately three times the size of females, they range from 2 to 2.5 metres in height and they also have a full mane.
They are a social species, living in groups called harems which usually consist of multiple females, called cows, and one to several males, called bulls. South American Sea Lions are excellent swimmers, reaching speeds of up to 40 km/hr in short burst. Although there is currently no commercial hunting of Sea Lions, their numbers were heavily depleted during the 19th and early 20th centuries. They are not currently threatened, but are protected throughout most of their range. Causes of death include entanglement in fishing nets, pollution, conflict with humans, and environmental change. |
Did you know?
They can dive up to 600 feet under water and they have nostrils that seal up automatically when they dive which helps them remain submerged for up to 40 minutes. At the Zoo -
We have two female Sea Lions, Inga and Nauticus. Inga is the mother to Nauticus and is 29 years old. Due to old age Inga has cataracts, but is otherwise healthy and enjoys life at the zoo. Her daughter is 18 years old. |
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