[16], Mating occurs between December and February. Despite this, protection regulations are not effectively enforced in much of animals' range. The adult males have a massive neck and chest and a characteristic upturned snout. Sometimes, an invading male abducts pups, possibly as an attempt to control the females. Sea Lions are not able to smell under water. The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens), is a type of sea lion. 1988. Arch Med Vet. Males grow up to almost 3m long and weigh up to 300kg and females up to 2m and up to 150kg in weight. Subadults herd their captured pups and prevent them from escaping, much like adult males do to females. Population Trend: Stable. They are widely distributed, occurring more or less continuously from northern Peru south to Cape Horn and north up the east coast of the South American continent to southern Brazil; they also occur in the Falkland (Malvinas) Islands. LIFE SPAN: 16 - 20 years. South American sea lions are a diurnal and social species which lives in groups usually consisting of multiple females with one or several males who defend their territory. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) and its numbers today remain stable. [14] South American sea lions may forage at the ocean floor for slow-moving prey or hunt schooling prey in groups, depending on the area. Visit our Antarctic travel guide. [22] Two statues of this species are the symbol of the city of Mar del Plata. POPULAR MAMMALS. When full grown the male sea lions are twice the weight of females and around their large heads is a patch of short hair similar to the beginnings of a lion’s mane. Esteban Fernández-Juricic, Claudio Campagna, Víctor Enriquez and Charles Leo Ortiz "Vocal Communication and Individual Variation in Breeding South American Sea Lions". Also known as the Southern sea lion, and referred to by some scientists as Otaria byronia, the South American sea lion is found along the coasts and off-shore islands of South America. The southern sea lion, Otaria byronia or Otaria flavescens?. According to the IUCN Red List, the total South American sea lion population size is around 445,000 individuals, including approximately 222,500 mature individuals. This species is even more sexually dimorphic than the other sea lions. On cobble or sandy beaches, males have territories near the surf and monopolize females trying to get access to the sea. 1993. Its scientific name was subject to controversy, with some taxonomistsreferring to it as Otaria flavescens and others referring to it as Otaria byronia. However, the movement ecology of South American sea lions remains poorly understood, although biologging studies in recent years have advanced our understanding of their at-sea movements at some breeding locations. The South American fur sea lion is found on the Ecuadorian , Peruvian , Chilean , Falkland Islands , Argentinean , Uruguayan , and Southern Brazilian coasts. Here, with its longer ratio of males in comparison to females, the males cluster together and display and try to attract females while allowing then to move freely. Male pups are sexually mature by 6 years of age, and females at 4, and both genders are full adult size at about 8 years of age. Group raids are more common on sandy beaches than rocky ones.These raids cause chaos in the breeding harems, often splitting mothers from their young. Adult males can grow over 2.73 m (9 ft) and weigh up to 350 kg (770 lb). (2015), Disentangling the cause of a catastrophic population decline in a large marine mammal. sea lion - any of several large eared seals of the northern Pacific related to fur seals but lacking their valuable coat. Younger males who do not yet have any mating females usually live in groups with 10 to 40 other young males, and try to raid the established territories of bulls to obtain females. The population of the Patagonian Sea lion is scattered along the Atlantic and Pacific shores of South American continent. Physical Description. They also take pups as substitutes for mature females. Several studies have estimated the total population size at different sites. The former are also known as fur seals and sea lions. [23] The hunting has since gone down and the species is no longer threatened. Indigenous peoples of South America exploited this species for millennia and by Europeans around the 16th century. They can also be seen on flat, rocky cliffs with tidepools. They weigh about 150 kilograms (330 pounds) on average. New Zealand Sea Lion – also known as the Hooker’s Sea Lion, the New Zealand Sea Lion is one of the largest animals found in New Zealand. The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the sea and its animals. This is essentially a coastal species, wich is found in waters over the continental shelf and slope. For the fictional continent, see. This species is even more sexually dimorphic than the other sea lions. You must be logged in to post a comment. Ecology 96: 2834–2847. According to the IUCN Red List, the total South American sea lion population size is around 445,000 individuals, including approximately 222,500 mature individuals. The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens, formerly Otaria byronia), also called the southern sea lion and the Patagonian sea lion, is a sea lion found on the Chilean, Ecuador, Peruvian, Uruguayan, Argentine and Southern Brazilian coasts. Pups are born greyish orange ventrally and black dorsally and moult into a more chocolate colour. What are synonyms for South American sea lion? The oestrus usually begins 6 days after the birth of a pup and soon after the copulations start with a peak in January. South American sea lion is the most abundant marine mammal across its range. When captured, the prey is shaken violently and torn apart. MORE IN SEA LION CATEGORY. The South American sea lion’s technical name is the Patagonian sea lion but this name is rarely used. The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) is perhaps the archetypal sea lion in appearance. https://endlessocean.fandom.com/wiki/South_American_Sea_Lion Males arrive first to establish and defend territories, but then switch to defending females when they arrive. A male aggressively herds females in his territory and defends from both neighbors and intruders. Humans are all about trying to find ways to make things more convenient, and recently, a very hungry sea lion decided he wanted to get in on that action too. South American sea lions are stocky otariids that are strongly sexually dimorphic. California sea lion. "Behavior and ecology of the dusky dolphin. South American sea lions consume numerous species of fishes, including Argentine hake and anchovies. Females with pups make a mother primary call when interacting with their pups, and grunts during aggressive encounters with other females. Würsig, B. and Würsig, M. 1980. They are also important as prey for their natural predators (pumas, sharks, killer whales). "Group raids: a mating strategy of male southern sea lions". The mating season runs from early August until December, when males will defend their territories aggressively and show an interest in females. Mating behaviors include mutual vocalizations, mouth and snout contact, smelling, and some playful biting. The South American sea lion is perhaps the archetypal sea lion in appearance. The southern sea lion is found along the western and lower eastern coasts of South America and the Falkland Islands. The former eventually won out, although that may still be overtur… [5] Both males and females are orange or brown coloured with upturned snouts. The technical name for the South American Sea Lion is actually the Patagonian Sea Lion. A pup may be mounted by its abductor, but intromission does not occur. Pups are sometimes severely injured or killed during abductions. They hunt in groups when seeking prey that travel in schools. Both males and females are orange or brown coloured with upturned snouts. South American Sea Lion Otaria byronia. Previous Next. This sea lion has a polygynous lifestyle. It is also called the Southern Sea lion and the Patagonian sea lion . Baylis, A. M. M., Orben, R. A., Arnould, J. P. Y., Christiansen, F., Hays, G. C. and Staniland, I. J. Synonyms for South American sea lion in Free Thesaurus. "Four hundred years in the history of pinniped colonies around Mar del Plata, Argentina". They are twice the weight of females. It is dark brown with a dark yellow or pale gold belly. However, you will rarely hear people or books refer to it that way. Males are approximately three times the size of females. In review. The warmer climate also makes the females move constantly to the water, further making the traditional mating system difficult to maintain. The South American sea lion's size and weight can vary considerably. Campagna, C., B. Southern sea lion, Patagonian sea lion. When it is too hot, they may lie belly up, one hind foot projected outwards. Females are pale brown with some pale markings around their head. doi:10.1890/14-1948.1. Baylis AMM, Orben RA, Arnould JPY, Christiansen F, Hays GC, Staniland IJ (2015) Disentangling the cause of a catastrophic population decline in a large marine mammal. Amongst pinnipeds, the winged-footed family, there are eared seals and true seals. Adult females grow up to 1.8–2 m (6–7 ft) and weigh about half the weight of the males, around 150 kg (330 lb). [7], The South American sea lion is found along the coasts and offshore islands of South America, from Peru south to Chile in the Pacific and then north to southern Brazil in the Atlantic. They are twice the weight of females. Baylis, A.M.M., Orben, R.A., et al. Campagna, C., B. These animals are members of the Pinnipedia group, Latin for “wing foot” or "fin foot". [7][8] They act aggressively to other females that come close to their pups, as well as alien pups that try to get milk from them. [8] Notable breeding colonies include Lobos Island, Uruguay; Peninsula Valdes, Argentina; Beagle Channel, and the Falkland Islands. His territory is very dependent on cows being present rather than its size or any topological features. Its scientific name was subject to controversy, with some taxonomists referring to it as Otaria flavescens and others referring to it as Otaria byronia. IUCN Status: Least Concern. Campagna, C., B. SOUTH AMERICAN SEA LION. Family: Otariidae. They first go into the water usually after about 3 to 4 weeks in a large group with other sea lions. Otaria Byronia. "Reproductive behavior of southern sea lions". The South American sea lion, also known as the Patagonian sea lion or, by its scientific name, Otaria flavescens, is an eared seal that lives on the eastern and southern coasts and islands of South America. It is one of the larger species of sea lions, and by its general appearance, perhaps the archetypal representative. The South American sea lion lives along the South American coastlines on the Atlantic side from Rio de Janeiro to Perú on the Pacific side in southernmost South America. On land sea lions will use their rear flippers to walk, climb and gallop, and thus can move surprisingly fast. 1988. The South American Sea Lion is found throughout the South American coastal region.The blackish pups become dark brown with a lighter chest as they mature. Deep Sea Res Part II 88–89:106–119. It is the only member of the genus Otaria. South American sea lions breed on beaches made of sand, gravel, rocky, or pebble beaches. Scientific Name: Otaria bryonia. The South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens, formerly Otaria byronia), also called the Southern Sea Lion and the Patagonian sea lion, is a sea lion found on the Ecuadorian, Peruvian, Chilean, Falkland Islands, Argentinean, Uruguayan, and Southern Brazilian coasts. Riet-Sapriza FG, Costa DP, Franco-Trecu V et al (2013) Foraging behavior of lactating South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) and spatial–temporal resource overlap with the Uruguayan fisheries. They also eat cephalopods, such as shortfin squid, Patagonian squid, and octopus. A colony of South American sea lions in Patagonia, Argentina. Pups gradually spend more time in the nearshore surf and develop swimming skills. Males are around 2 - 3 times the size of females. Click here to cancel reply. Rodriguez, D., R. Bastida. Males have a neck that is more muscled than that of females. The South American sea lion's size and weight can vary considerably. However, you will rarely hear people or books refer to it that way. [1][24] They still are killed due to their habits of stealing fish and damaging fishing nets. [8] The colonies make spaces between each individual when the weather is warm and sunny. South American sea lion. Adult males can grow over 2.73 m (9 ft) and weigh up to 350 kg (770 lb). When a South American sea lion noticed a fish market onshore, he decided to waddle in and check it out — and was immediately super excited when he realized just how many fish had been gathered up there. "Intra-sexual female agonistic behaviour of the South American sea lion (. On rocky beaches, males establish territories where females go to cool off, keeping them until estrus. [1], The overall population of sea lions is considered stable; the estimate is 265,000 animals. Galapagos Sea Lion. South American sea lions ( Otaria flavescens ), also known as maned seals, are the most sexually dimorphic of the five known sea lion species. Males have a very large head with a well-developed mane, making them the most lionesque of the eared seals. [1] Sea lions in the port of Mar del Plata have been found with toxic chemicals and heavy metals in their systems. Leave a Reply. The scientific name of the South American sea lion has been under discussion for many years. That’s because, as the common name implies, the huge mammal evolved as native to a portion of the continent of South America. South American sea lions have been recorded to take advantage of the hunting efforts of dusky dolphins, feeding on the fish they herd together. Category: Sea Lion. Adult males range from 2 to 2.5 meters in height and can weigh from 200 to 350 kilograms. Raiders are often unsuccessful in securing a female, but some are able to capture some females or even stay in the breeding area with one or more females. It is the only member of the genus Otaria. Esteban Fernández-Juricic and Marcelo H. Cassini. Females are a bit smaller and usually grow to about 1.8 to 2 meters (6 to 7 feet) in length. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) and its numbers today remain stable. When it is too cold, they place their bodies to expose minimal surface area to the air. [8], South American sea lions are observed to make various vocalizations and calls which differ between sexes and ages. [6] Adult females grow up to 1.8–2 m (6–7 ft) and weigh about half the weight of the males, around 150 kg (330 lb). South American Sea Lion – the technical name for the South American Sea Lion is actually the Patagonian Sea Lion. They also occur on flat rocky shelves or on cliffs with boulders and tide pools. Some individuals wander as far north as southern Ecuador, although apparently they never bred there. A female sea lion can weigh up to 400 pounds and be 6 feet long. [15] The sea lions themselves are preyed on by killer whales and sharks, and visited as a handy source of blood by common vampire bats from Isla Pan de Azúcar. Some have been known to occur in the Falkland and Galapagos Islands. The Southern sea lion has been killed in the past for the fur trade, causing a significant decrease in numbers. Diving deeper into individual foraging specializations of a large marine predator, the southern sea lion Oecologia (2015) 179: 1053. South American sea lions may have influence on the fish population due to their diet. New Zealand Sea Lio... Steller sea lion. Rodriguez, D. and Bastida, R. 1998. - south american sea lion stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images [20] Pups first enter the water at about four weeks and are weaned at about 12 months. Distribution and Numbers. South American Sea Lions are widely-distributed and ranges on coast of southern South America from northern Peru, south to Cape Horn, and north up the east coast of the continent to Uruguay and southern Brazil. While abducting pups does not give males immediate reproductive benefits, these males may gain experience in controlling females. Common Name: South American Sea Lion. http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/seals_sea_lions/south_american_sea_lion.html, "Habitat use and spatial fidelity of male South American sea lions during the nonbreeding period", "The Dark: Nature's Night-time World, BBC Two, 9.00pm, preview", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=South_American_sea_lion&oldid=1017093481, Southeastern South American coastal fauna, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 10 April 2021, at 19:40. Pathogens and heavy metals in Southern sea lions (Otaria flavescens) in Valdivia city, Chile. [25], "Otaria" redirects here. South American Sea Lions have a body length between 1.8 and 2.8 m (5.9 - 9.2 ft) and they weigh between 140 and 350 kgs (310 - 770 lbs). genus Otaria, Otaria - type genus of the Otariidae. Ecology, 96: 2834–2847. South American sea lions, Otaria flavescens, are found along the coasts and off-shore islands of South America from Zorritos in northern Peru to Ilha dos Lobos in southern Brazil, although wandering individuals have been found as far north as Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. South American sea lion is the most abundant marine mammal across its range. Australian sea lion. Fights are, however, rare, unless an intruder attempts to take over the bull’s territory. [17][18], Despite being mostly a harem-territorial species, one population in Peru has been recorded having a lek-like breeding system. When they are full grown they will be twice the weight of the females. Sea lions. 1 synonym for South American sea lion: Otaria Byronia. They live along shorelines and beaches, which usually consist of sand, rocks, gravel and/or pebbles. Marine Mammal Science, 9(4): 372–381. [4] Locally, it is known by several names, most commonly lobo marino (es)/lobo marinho (pt) (sea wolf) and león marino (es)/leão marinho (pt) (sea lion) and the hair seal. Males are dark brown in colour with a paler coloured underside and they have a full mane. [19], Sea lion mothers remain with their newborn pups for nearly a week before making a routine of taking three-day foraging trips and coming back to nurse the pups. south american sea lion (otaria flavescens) on rocks, cabo polonio national park, province of rocha, uruguay - south american sea lion stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images a very large number of south american sea lions swimming towards the camera at a colony in the nuevo gulf, valdes peninsula, argentina. Mothers mate again soon after birth with the male whose territory the birth took place in. 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