Sea lion
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Categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since June 2007 | Articles with unsourced statements since December 2007 | Fur seals and sea lions | Pinnipeds
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A resting Sea Lion in Galapagos National Park, Ecuador.
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An underwater view of a sea lion at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Sea lions are any of seven species in six genera of modern pinnipeds including one extinct one (the Japanese sea lion). Sea lions are characterized by the presence of external ear pinnae or flaps, long front flippers, and the ability to walk on four flippers on land. Their range extends from the subarctic to tropical waters of the global ocean in both the northern and southern hemispheres with the notable exception of the Atlantic Ocean. They are generally found in shallow waters of coastal areas of both with abundant food resources.[1]
TaxonomyTogether with the fur seals, they comprise the Otariidae family, collectively known as eared seals. Until recently, sea lions were grouped under a single subfamily called Otariinae to distinguish them from the fur seals Arcocephalinae, based on the most prominent common feature between all species, namely the lack of dense underfur characteristic of the latter. Recent genetic evidence, however, strongly suggests that the Callorhinus, the genus of the Northern fur seal is more closely related to some sea lion species than to the fur seal genus Arctocephalus.[2] Therefore the fur seal/sealion subfamily distinction has been largely eliminated. Nonetheless, all sea lions have certain features in common, in particular the coarse, short fur, greater bulk and larger prey than fur seals. Interactions with humansSome species of sea lions are readily trainable and are often a popular attraction at zoos and aquariums. The archetypical circus seal performing behaviors such as throwing and catching balls on their noses and clapping is almost always, in fact, a sea lion. The government of Japan has set a quota of 116 kills per year in Hokkaido,[citation needed] as sea lions are seen as a threat to commercial fisheries. International environmentalists and local fishery advocates continue to debate the issue. The Norwegian government has set a quota of 200 kills per year.[citation needed] Sea lions have been trained by the U.S. Navy's Marine Mammal Program, based in San Diego to detain scuba divers.[3] Sea lion attacks on humans are rare, but have occurred in at least a single notable case, in which a 13 year-old Australian girl was attacked while in the water. Sources said that the likeliest explanation was that the animal was attempting to play with the girl.[4][5][6] The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the sea and its animals. They often depicted sea lions in their art.[7] Species
HybridsA hybrid sea lion from a cross between the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) has occurred.[citation needed] References
See alsoExternal linksbs:Morski lav bg:Морски лъвове de:Seelöwe es:Otariinae eo:Marleono fr:Lion de mer ko:바다사자 hr:Morski lavovi io:Marleono he:אריות ים ka:ზღვის ლომი (ცხოველი) ku:Şêrê avê nl:Zeeleeuwen ja:アシカ pt:Leão-marinho simple:Sea lion sl:Morski levi fi:Merileijonat th:สิงโตทะเล zh-yue:海獅 |
