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Patagonian sea lion

Scientific name:  Otaria byronia
Class:  Mammals
Continent:  South America
Habitat:  Océanos y mares
Diet:  Piscívoro
Weight:  140 a 350 kg
Size:  2 - 2,4 m
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Meet the Patagonian sea lion!

The Patagonian sea lion belongs to the Order Carnivora, the pinniped family. A family that has been able to adapt to exploit the marine environment, and are even able to sleep in the water.

Among the characteristics of this species are their hydrodynamic shape and limbs, converted into fins. In addition, they have hair and a thick layer of fat that helps them regulate body temperature. They are animals that have sexual dimorphism, since 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 quadrupedal position, while seals move by crawling. The way they swim is also different, as seals propel themselves with their hind flippers while sea lions do it with their front flippers. In addition, seals have nails on both hind and forelimbs, while sea lions only have nails 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. Social organization at this time of the year is based on harems (one male, several females). 

The males fight for their territory: the strongest sea lion will protect the group of females and their offspring from predators and other competing males. As for the pups, once they are born, their growth is rapid (in two months, they are already moving into the sea).

Conservation
Extinct
Extinct in the wild
Critically endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near threatened
Least concern
Insufficient data
Not evaluated

DID YOU KNOW ...

Sea lion teeth are coated with a brown or black color, due to the presence of bacteria that help protect their tooth enamel.

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Learn more about some of the Zoo's animals in a unique adventure

Learn more about some of the Zoo's animals in a unique adventure