Sea Lions
Main Information
There are 7 species of sea lions. All sea lions belong to a group called pinnepeds, which means winged foot. Sea lions can grow to a very large size. Males eventually grow larger than the females. The sea lions are located in all of the oceans, except the Atlantic. The body of a sea lion is shaped like a torpedo. They are usually found in large colonies. They tend to stagy in groups since they want protection from their predators.
Habitat
Most Sea Lions prefer sub-Arctic climates. Others live in warm waters near the tropics. The sea lions take up all the oceans in the world except for the Atlantic Ocean. The Southern sea lions live in South America. The Californian sea lions live all along the coast of California.. Scientists think that sea lions migrate because all other mammals migrate, but there is always the possibility of them migrating because global warming melts the ice in their original habitat.
Diet
Sea lions are carnivores, or they are meat eating animals. They eat may types of fish, including pompano, mackerel, salmon, herring, and capelin. But the diet of a sea lion mostly depends on where they live. Sea Lions can survive well in the water mostly because they are not picky on what they eat. They would enjoy their food as long as they have a lot and it is neat. When sea lions are huting for food, they stay close to the water to be safe of predators. Their body is in excellent shape for diving, so they can dive unto 600 feet to hunt for their food. When they have shortage of meals, they eat their sea lion pups instead.
Difference between Sea Lions and Seals
There are many differences between seals and sea lions, but people usually confuse them. Seals have holes for ears, while Sea Lions have ear flaps. Seals have short, hairy fore flippers and long claws. But sea lions, have long hairless flippers without any claws. Seals move on land by wiggling their bellies. Sea Lions rotate their flippers underneath to allow walking on land. Sea Lions have long, smooth whiskers (also called vilorissae). Seals have crimped or beaded whiskers. As you can see, seals and sea lions have plenty of differences, but are still easy to confuse.