What distinguishes sea lions from true seals?

Sea lions have external ear flaps and long foreflippers and can walk on all fours, traits that distinguish them from true (earless) seals.

How long do sea lions live?

Sea lions have an average lifespan of about 20–30 years.

Where are sea lions found?

Sea lions range from subarctic to tropical waters in both hemispheres but are generally absent from the northern Atlantic Ocean.

How fast can sea lions swim?

Sea lions commonly move around 16 knots (30 km/h) and can reach top speeds near 30 knots (56 km/h).

How much do sea lions eat at a feeding?

Sea lions are known to eat about 5–8% of their body weight at a single feeding, which examples put around 6.8–15.9 kg.

How many species of sea lion are there?

There are six living sea lion species and one extinct species (the Japanese sea lion), distributed among five genera.

What is a notable large sea lion species?

Steller's sea lion is one of the largest, reaching around 1,000 kg and 3.0 m in length.

Where to See Sea Lion While Diving

Q: Are any sea lions endangered?

Yes; the Australian sea lion, the Galápagos sea lion and the New Zealand sea lion are listed as endangered.

Sea lions are pinnipeds in the family Otariidae (eared seals). They are characterized by external ear flaps, long foreflippers, the ability to walk on all fours, short thick hair, and a relatively large chest and belly. There are six extant and one extinct sea lion species across five genera. Their range extends from subarctic to tropical waters in both hemispheres, with the notable exception of the northern Atlantic Ocean. Average lifespan is about 20–30 years. Size and weight vary by species and sex: for example, male California sea lions average about 300 kg and 2.4 m long while females average about 100 kg and 1.8 m; Steller's sea lions are among the largest, reaching about 1,000 kg and 3.0 m. Sea lions consume large quantities at a time, roughly 5–8% of their body weight per feeding (about 6.8–15.9 kg in the examples given). In water, typical movement is around 16 knots (30 km/h), with top speeds reported near 30 knots (56 km/h). Three species — the Australian sea lion, the Galápagos sea lion and the New Zealand sea lion — are listed as endangered.

Three sea lion species (Australian, Galápagos, New Zealand) are listed as endangered.

Sea lions can move on land by walking on all fours using their foreflippers and in water commonly travel around 16 knots (30 km/h), with reported top speeds near 30 knots (56 km/h).

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Galapagos Islands, Catalina Island, La Paz (Baja California Sur), including Espiritu Santo and countries such as Mexico, United States of America, Ecuador for divers building trips around sea lions.