The Sea Lions are part of the pinnipeds family; carnivorous mammals adapted to sea life. They live on the South American coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They are divided into three families, the Otariinae (sea lions and fur seals), Phocidae (earless seals), and Odobenidae (walruses).
Their diet consists of fish, squid, penguins, and other marine birds. They are part of the killer whale and shark diet in the circle of life. They eat between 15 and 25 kgs of food per day. Males can weigh up to 300 kg (double than females) and can be up to 2.5 meters long. They live in groups of 15, usually formed by one male and his harem.
Young males are black, and adults are dark brownish with a red-fur layer on their neck, giving them their name of “lion.”
The three main differences between sea lions and seals are:
· Sea Lions have external ears, and seals have only fur-covered internal ears behind their snout.
· Sea Lions have nails on their back fins to scratch themselves; seals don’t have any.
· Sea Lions stand on their back fins to walk; seals crawl or roll.
Sea lion/seal
Swim with Sea Lions!
You can enjoy this fantastic activity in the Sea Life Discovery Plus Program in Dolphin Discovery Cancún Isla Mujeres and Dolphin Discovery Riviera Maya; and the Sea Lion Discovery Program in Sea Life Park Vallarta.