Patagonian sea lion

Meet the Patagonian sea lion!

The Patagonian sea lion belongs to the order of Carnivora, and the family of Pinnipeds, a family that has adapted to its marine environment, and are even capable of sleeping in the water.

Among the characteristics of this species are its hydrodynamic shape and limbs, converted into fins.in addition, they have hair and a thick layer of fat that helps them to regulate body temperature. They are animals that have sexual dimorphism, in that males are larger than females.

Unlike seals, they have ears and their insertion from the femur to the hip is different, so sea lions can move on all fours, in quadruped, while seals move by crawling. The way they swim is also different; seals propel themselves with their hind flippers while sea lions do it with their front flippers. In addition, seals have nails on both hind limbs and forelimbs, while sea lions have nails only on the hind limbs.

What are its habits?

Although they can spend long periods at sea, during the breeding season they return to land to mate and give birth to their young. Their social organization, at this time of the year, is based on harems (one male and several females).

Males fight for their territory: the strongest sea lion will protect his group of females and their offspring, defending them from predators and other competing males. Pups, once they are born, grow very quickly (after just two months they are ready to go into the sea).

Conservation

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated