There are 33 species of seals, sea lions, fur seals and walrus that populate the world's oceans and lakes
All pinnipeds breath air and some are capable of very deep and prolonged dives. The northern elephant seal, for example, is capable of diving to depths over 1,500 feet and can remain under the surface of the water for 2 hours
Pinnipeds, fin-footed marine mammals, are divided into two categories: earless seals (true seals) and eared seals (sea lions).
Earless seals like the Northern elephant seal and harbor seal are believed to have descended from a line of terrestrial mammals similar to otters.
Eared seals like the California sea lion and the Northern fur seal are believed to have descended from a bear-like mammal. Adaptations like fins for mobility, blubber for warmth and hydrodynamic body shape help both species survive in an aquatic habitat.
Sea Lions - Stellar
Californian sea lions seem to prefer squid to fish.
California Sea Lion Zalophus californianus
1. There are five species of sea lion. The one most often seen in zoos and circuses, is the Californian sea lion
2. The Califorian and Steller sea lions live in the Northern Hemisphere the others live in southern oceans near the South American and Australasian coasts.
3. They are often referred to as eared seals because of their small ears.
4. They are expert swimmers and divers.
5. They can catch fish under water.
6. They use their long, sensitive whiskers to help detect prey.
7. On land they can move with great speed using thier flippers.
8. Their blubber and soft gristly ribs protect them from harming themselves when they go down cliff-sides and over rocks.
9. They are naturally playful and can be trained to do simple tricks.
10. Sea lions breed in colonies on beaches.
11. Each bull stakes out his own territory and herds a group of females around him.
12. The single young is guarded carefully by its mom until it can swim and fend for itself.
13. Sea lions are unpopular with fisherman because they blame them for damaging the fish stocks.
14. Californian sea lions seem to prefer squid to fish.
15. Australian sea lions prey on penguins.
16. Steller sea lion scientific name is Eumetopias Jubatus.
17. Steller sea lion family is Otariidae.
18. Steller sea lion class is Marine Mammal.
19. Stellar sea lion is the largest member of the Otarliidae.
20. Steller sea lions are suffering massive, population losses making them endangered.
21. A male Steller sea lion average weight is 2,000 lbs and a females is 600 lbs. 22. They have very thick, yellowish-brown fur when they are dry.
23. Steller pups are black and weigh 30lbs
. 24. The sea lion pups are dark brown to black until when they molt to a lighter brown.
25. The pups, called "yearlings" turn to the same color as their parents by their second year. 26. Steller pups only stay with their mother for about one year.
27. Bulls become mature between 3 and 8 years old.
28. Bulls can't usually hold their own territory successfully until 9 or 10 years old.
29. Females can become pregnant for the first time at 4 to 6 years of age, having at a most 1 pup each year.
30. Steller sea lions are opportunistic predators.
31. They feed primarily of fishes and cephalopods.
32. Seasonally they feed near shore on squid,octopus,fish,mackerel and salmon.
33. Steller sea lions sometimes also preys on seals and sea otter pups
. 34. Steller sea lions gather at breeding areas called "rookeries" in the spring.
35. Mating occurs during June and July.
36. In august, the males leave the rookeries.
California Sea Lion Zalophus californianus