12 Let’s Talk Trash! NOV / DEC 2024 ©2024 - 2025 The Keenan Group, Inc.
The South American Sea Lion also called the Patagonian sea lion, lives by the ocean in South America. Boy sea lions are much bigger than girl sea lions. The boys have big heads and a thick, furry mane around their necks, just like a lion! There are a lot of South American sea lions in the wild today, with about 265,000 of them living happily near the ocean! They rest on all kinds of beaches—sandy, rocky, or pebbly ones. South American sea lions live in groups with one or more males and many females. The males, called bulls, protect their space by making loud noises and warning other males to stay away. Fights happen only if another male tries to take over. Each bull usually has about 18 females in his area. Younger males without females live together in groups and sometimes try to sneak into a bull’s area. Sea lions hunt together in shallow waters, close to the shore, and look for fish that swim in big groups. These sea lions love to eat fish and squid.
KINGDOM Animalia PHYLUM Chordata CLASS Mammalia ORDER Carnivora FAMILY Otariidae GENUS Otaria SPECIES
Otaria flavescens
Key Facts About the South American Sea Lion These animals are members of the Pinnipedia group, Latin for “wing foot” or " fi n foot". On land sea lions will use their rear fl ippers to walk, climb and gallop, and thus can move surprisingly fast. Sea lions sleep both during the day and the night and are able to sleep either in or out of water. These animals can see well both above and under the water. Sea Lions are not able to smell under water. Southern American sea lions show responses with regard to thermal changes. When it is too cold, they place their bodies to expose minimal surface area to the air. When it is too hot, they may lie belly up, one hind foot projected outwards.
Source: https://animalia.bio/south-american-sea-lion
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker